The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday presented Senator Sharafadeen Alli as its governorship candidate for the 2027 Oyo State governorship election, alongside Adesoji Adedeji, who was unveiled as his running mate.
The unveiling ceremony took place in Ibadan and was attended by party leaders, stakeholders, executives, and supporters from across the state.
Alli secured the party’s ticket after defeating several aspirants during the APC governorship primary, including former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, former Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, Akeem Agbaje, and Oyedele Alao.
Despite the unveiling, Adelabu’s camp insists it is still awaiting an official declaration from the APC National Working Committee (NWC), maintaining that only the party’s national leadership has the constitutional authority to formally confirm the governorship candidate.
In his acceptance speech, Alli described his emergence as a victory for the entire APC family in Oyo State and thanked party members, delegates, women, youths, and stakeholders for their support throughout the primary process.
He said the outcome reflected the values of unity, perseverance, democracy, and the enduring strength of the APC in the state.
The senator also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, commending his leadership and the Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said continues to inspire national development and economic transformation.
Alli further thanked the APC National Working Committee, the party’s National Monitoring Team, zonal leaders, the Oyo State Working Committee, delegates, and security agencies for ensuring a peaceful and successful primary election.
He appealed to fellow aspirants and their supporters to put the contest behind them and unite ahead of the 2027 general election, stressing that rebuilding Oyo State would require collective effort, sacrifice, and cooperation.
The Oyo APC Chairman, Chief Moses Adeyemo, also called on aggrieved members to set aside their differences and work together to return the party to power in the state.
Similarly, APC Deputy National Auditor, Olayemi Olugbenga, announced that the party had presented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms to Alli and Adedeji as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.
Several prominent APC leaders and stakeholders attended the event, alongside members of the state executive committee and the party’s candidates for the National Assembly.
However, speaking on behalf of Adebayo Adelabu, his media aide, Femi Awogboro, maintained that the process was not yet complete.
He argued that no aspirant should be regarded as the party’s official candidate until the APC National Working Committee makes a formal announcement.
Awogboro dismissed reports suggesting the matter had been concluded, describing them as speculative and capable of creating unnecessary tension within the party.
He also questioned the authenticity of reports alleging that lists of cleared candidates for legislative positions had already emerged, insisting that due process and fairness must guide all internal party decisions.
According to him, genuine reconciliation within the party can only be achieved if justice and transparency are upheld throughout the nomination process.
He added that Adelabu remains committed to the party and is patiently awaiting the official position of the APC’s national leadership.
