2027: Alli confident amid Oyo APC direct primaries push

Governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, on Wednesday declared his readiness for the conduct of party primaries to select governorship and other candidates for various elective positions, as being advocated by some aspirants.

This Video Is Trending Right Now →

Alli, currently representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, made the declaration while addressing party leaders and supporters during an APC stakeholders’ meeting held at Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University College Hospital, Ibadan, the state capital.

The PUNCH reports that some governorship aspirants on the platform of the APC in the state resolved to resist the imposition of candidates for the various elective positions without recourse to due process.

Also on Tuesday, former minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, declared his ambition and rejected the consensus candidate, calling instead for a process where all aspirants can test their popularity.

Alli, however, boasted at the stakeholders’ meeting that with the support of the chieftains and other members of the party in the state, local governments and wards, he would clinch the party ticket, either through the conduct of direct primaries or consensus.

The meeting had in attendance chieftains of the party, including Senator Ayo Adeseun, member representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, Remi Oseni, Segun Odebunmi popularly called Bunvic, among others.

Alli said, “With the support of the chieftains and other members of the party at the state, local governments and ward levels, I am going to clinch the party ticket either through the conduct of the primaries or affirmation process.

“We are not scared of the conduct of the primaries as being agitated by some aspirants.

“What is of paramount concern to us is the unity among the members of the party. The APC is one in Oyo State. I am appealing to our teeming supporters to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner.

“Let us reach out to our members at the grassroots. Let us make known our plan. Let them see the reason why they must come out to vote during the primaries.

“I am assuring us that, whether through the conduct of the primaries or affirmation of the candidate, I am going to emerge as the candidate of the party and subsequently win the election in 2027,” he stated.

In their separate remarks, Adeseun, Oseni, Odebunmi and other APC chieftains urged party supporters to mobilise support for Alli’s candidacy.

Adeseun said, “Alli is the right choice for the party in 2027. If the leadership of the party decides to conduct the primaries as being agitated for by some aspirants, we are ready. My appeal to our teeming followers is to go back home to mobilise support for the candidacy of Alli.

“Alli is marketable. He has all that it takes to lead the party to victory in 2027.”

His position was corroborated by Oseni and Odebunmi and hundreds of APC supporters who were in attendance at the stakeholders’ meeting.

Also speaking, Pa Alarape Jolaoso said the adoption of Alli followed the long-standing tradition of progressive politics, where party elders and stakeholders usually arrive at candidates through consensus.

Jolaoso stated the leaders had received directives from President Bola Tinubu endorsing Alli as the preferred consensus candidate of the party in the state.

At the event were Senator Brimoh Yusuff, Tajudeen Abisodun, Yekeen Popoola, Ibrahim Bolomope, Pa MKO Laoye, Pa Olu Akintola, Alhaji Mojeed Olaoya, Chief Francis Babalola, Alhaja Tinuade Adigun, Apostle Aderounmu, Shina Alabi and Chief Yemi Aderibigbe.

Also in attendance were Akeem Akogun, Dr Tunji Olanipekun, Mrs Hannah Ogunesan, Saheed Alaran, Akeem Adeyemi, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, Akin Alabi, Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, Mrs Folake Olunloyo-Osinowo, Chief Akinyemi Akinlabi, Adewale Adeoye, Mr Omilabu Ghandi, Asimiyu Alarape, Mrs Mojibade Adetona and others.

The development follows a meeting of the Oyo State leadership of the party and the APC national chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, in Abuja, on Tuesday evening, with Alli and Oseni in attendance.