A fresh wave of division has emerged within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a leading governorship aspirant, Bayo Adelabu, openly rejected moves to adopt Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial election.
Adelabu made his position known on Saturday while addressing a large gathering of party faithful at the APC meeting in Ibadan South East Local Government Area. The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria arrived at the venue alongside a massive crowd of supporters, signaling his strong grassroots backing and determination to contest the party’s ticket.
Speaking to party members, Adelabu criticized what he described as attempts by political stakeholders to impose a candidate on the party, warning that such a move could further weaken the APC’s chances in Oyo State.
He specifically accused former governor and Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja of playing a recurring role in the party’s electoral setbacks.
“Ladoja has always been the reason progressives lose in Oyo State. It happened in 2019 and 2023. He cannot impose his political son on us in APC,” Adelabu declared, drawing loud reactions from supporters at the venue.
The development underscores growing tensions within the Oyo APC, as different factions intensify consultations ahead of the next governorship race. While some party leaders are reportedly pushing for consensus to avoid internal conflict, others, like Adelabu, insist on a level playing field through a transparent primary process.
Political observers say the latest disagreement could shape the internal dynamics of the party in the coming months, especially as the APC seeks to reclaim power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
As the contest gradually takes shape, all eyes remain on how the party leadership will manage the emerging divisions and whether reconciliation efforts can prevent another round of internal crisis.
