The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday officially unveiled Senator Sharafadeen Alli as its governorship candidate and Adesoji Adedeji as the party’s deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
The unveiling ceremony, held in Ibadan, had in attendance party leaders, stakeholders, state executives, National Assembly candidates and supporters from across the state.
However, notable party leaders and stalwarts, including Ambassador Florence Ajimobi, former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Senator Fatai Buhari and members of the aggrieved G-5 governorship aspirants, conspicuously stayed away from the event.
The event came after Alli emerged victorious in the APC governorship primary, defeating former Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, Barrister Akeem Agbaje, Engr. Oyedele Alao and other aspirants, including Adelabu.
Addressing party members, Alli described his emergence as a collective victory for the APC family rather than a personal achievement.
He said the mandate belonged to every loyal member who remained committed to the ideals of progressive politics.
According to him, the victory symbolises unity, perseverance, democracy and the enduring spirit of the progressive family in Oyo State.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, whom he described as the party’s national leader, for his leadership and commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Alli also thanked the APC National Working Committee led by National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Monitoring Team, zonal leaders, the Oyo State Working Committee headed by Chief Moses Alake-Adeyemo and security agencies for ensuring a peaceful primary election.
While extending an olive branch to his co-contestants, Alli urged aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to put the contest behind them and unite for the task ahead towards ensuring victory for the party at the polls.
“To all my brothers and fellow aspirants who contested this primary election with me, I salute your courage and your love for Oyo State.
“Democracy thrives not because we always agree, but because we all believe in a common future.
“We must all know that the greater task of rebuilding and repositioning Oyo State has now begun.
“To my brothers and sisters, all aggrieved members, and all your supporters and stakeholders, let us close ranks and march forward together as one united APC family.
“The task ahead is bigger than one man. It requires unity, sacrifice, cooperation and a shared commitment to the common good,” he said.
Earlier, the Oyo APC Chairman, Chief Moses Alake-Adeyemo, appealed to dissatisfied members to shelve their grievances and rally behind all candidates of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that returning the APC to power in Oyo State should remain the overriding objective of members, stressing that electoral victory would enable the party to deliver the dividends of democracy to residents.
Also speaking, the party’s Deputy National Auditor, Hon. Olayemi Olugbenga, said the occasion also provided an opportunity for the APC to formally present the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms to its governorship and deputy governorship candidates.
Among dignitaries present at the event were Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Senator Ayoade Adeseun, Senator Femi Lanlehin, Senator Hosea Agboola, the Oyo APC Women Leader, Mrs. Felicia Opatunde, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe, Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi, Pa Jolaoso, Chief Akin Oke, Alhaji Mufutau Adisa, Hon. Mojeed Olaoya, and Alhaji Shina Alabi,
Others were Chief Aleshinloye Abass, former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Joshua Olagunju, members of the Oyo APC State Executive Committee, the party’s three senatorial candidates and House of Representatives candidates.