The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, on Thursday formally received his Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination form and officially unveiled Honourable Micheal Adesoji Adedeji as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.
The ceremony, held before party leaders, stakeholders and supporters, however, witnessed the noticeable absence of some prominent APC figures in the state, including Adebayo Adelabu, Teslim Folarin and Florence Ajimobi. Their absence immediately attracted attention and sparked political discussions among party members and observers, although no official explanation was provided.
Presenting the INEC nomination form on behalf of the party’s national leadership, APC Deputy National Auditor, Gbenga Olayemi, described Alli as the party’s standard-bearer and urged members to close ranks and work towards reclaiming Oyo State in the 2027 governorship election.
In his acceptance speech, Senator Alli described his emergence as the party’s candidate as a collective victory rather than a personal achievement. He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee, the Oyo State leadership, security agencies, party members and all those who contributed to the success of the party’s primary election.
The APC candidate also extended an olive branch to fellow aspirants and their supporters, calling for reconciliation, unity and teamwork ahead of the election. According to him, only a united APC can successfully challenge the ruling party in the state.
Speaking on his vision for Oyo State, Alli pledged to run an inclusive and transparent administration that would prioritise agriculture, quality education, healthcare delivery, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability and economic growth. He assured residents that his government, if elected, would be accountable and accessible to all irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
The newly unveiled deputy governorship candidate, Honourable Micheal Adesoji Adedeji, thanked the party leadership for the confidence reposed in him and pledged unwavering loyalty to the APC. He expressed optimism that the party would emerge victorious at the 2027 governorship poll, promising to work closely with Senator Alli in delivering effective leadership for the state.
The event was attended by members of the APC State Working Committee, candidates for the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, as well as party leaders and stakeholders from across Oyo State. However, the absence of notable party chieftains such as Adelabu, Folarin and Florence Ajimobi remained one of the major talking points of the occasion.