Prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally endorsed Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election in the state.
Speaking at a gathering of APC stakeholders, former Oyo State gubernatorial aspirant and party chieftain, Chief Fatai Ibikunle, revealed that President Tinubu had informed key party leaders, including former First Lady of Oyo State, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, and former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, that Senator Alli was his preferred choice for the governorship ticket.
According to Ibikunle, he initially doubted reports that Alli had emerged as the consensus candidate until the President personally confirmed it to him. He stated that the President had quietly sent a clear signal to APC leaders across Oyo State to unite behind Sharafadeen Alli ahead of the party’s gubernatorial contest.
Ibikunle also claimed that the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, ignored President Tinubu’s appeal not to resign from his previous position, believing he could secure victory on his own. He said events have since shown that the President had already indicated his preference for Alli, urging party leaders to rally support for him.
In a similar vein, the Chairman of the APC in Oyo State, Moses Alake Adeyemo, disclosed that he was initially opposed to the idea of adopting a consensus candidate. He explained that he had insisted the party should conduct a primary election until he was personally informed by President Tinubu that Sharafadeen Alli was the party’s preferred governorship candidate.
Adeyemo said he eventually came to the realization that even if a primary election were conducted, Alli would still emerge victorious due to the overwhelming support and backing he enjoys within the party. He therefore called on APC members across the state to close ranks and work together to ensure the party’s success in the 2027 governorship election.
The revelations have further fueled discussions within the Oyo APC over the party’s succession plan and the race to challenge the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde in the next electoral cycle.