The controversy over who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State was laid to rest yesterday.
The party unveiled Oyo South Senator Sharafadeen Alli as its candidate.
He was presented with his nomination form in Ibadan, the state capital.
A 46-year-old graduate of Economics from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr Adesoji Michael Adedeji, was picked as running mate.
Adedeji hails from Iwo-Ate in Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area.
Also yesterday, a forum of APC ex-lawmakers in Ondo State announced its unqualified support for the candidates nominated by the party for Senatorial and House of Representatives seats.
Their support came following the protest against the list by some women led by a commissioner in Akure.
Oyo State APC chairman and former Deputy Governor, Moses Alake Adeyemo, urged party members to remain united and work together to secure victory in the 2027 elections.
Adeyemo said it was better for the party to be in government than in the opposition.
He appealed to aggrieved members to put aside their grievances and support the APC.
‘By the grace of God, come May 29, 2027, our governor and deputy governor will be Senator Sharafadeen Alli and Hon. Adesoji Adedeji. I plead with us in the name of the Lord to come together,’ he said.
Presenting the INEC nomination form to Alli, the APC Deputy National Auditor, Mr Gbenga Olayemi, described the governorship candidate as the party’s standard-bearer rather than an individual candidate.
‘You will recall that I presented the nomination forms to National Assembly candidates on Monday. Senator Alli is not just our governorship candidate; he is our flagbearer. Every APC member in Oyo State is a governorship candidate,’ Olayemi said.
Alli described his emergence as the APC candidate as a collective victory for all party members and pledged to lead with fairness, accountability and inclusiveness, if elected.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee (NWC), the state leadership of the party, security agencies and members of the party for their support throughout the primary..
The senator also extended appreciation to his fellow aspirants, urging them and their supporters to unite behind the party’s common goal of reclaiming Oyo State.
According to him, the task ahead requires unity, sacrifice and collective commitment, stressing that the APC must move beyond the primary and work together to achieve victory in 2027.
‘Our people are yearning for leadership that listens, unites and understands their pains. They deserve a government that works for everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, social class or geopolitical zone,’ he said.
Alli said his administration, if elected, would focus on empowering farmers, creating opportunities for youths, improving education and healthcare, strengthening infrastructure, protecting the environment and ensuring economic growth benefits in all parts of the state.
He added that his government would align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting justice, fairness, accountability, compassion and service to the people.
‘I will remain accessible, accountable and a good listener. I will never take the trust of the people for granted. Let us reject division, embrace unity and work together to restore the true Pacesetter Glory of Oyo State,’ he said.
Deputy governorship candidate Adedeji thanked the party leadership for the confidence reposed in him and expressed optimism that the APC would emerge victorious in the 2027 governorship election.
The event was attended by members of the APC State Working Committee led by Adeyemo, National Assembly and State Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections, party leaders and stakeholders, including Senators Ayo Adeseun, Hosea Agboola and Femi Lanlehin, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Pa Timothy Jolaoso and Alhaji Olayide Abbas, among others.
Ondo ex-lawmakers welcome National Assembly list
The forum hailed President Tinubu’s leadership and called for unity among party members ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement yesterday after their meeting in Akure, and jointly signed by Olugbenga Araoyinbo and Tayo Abidakun, Chairman and Public Relations Officer respectively, they commended the president for his exemplary leadership, steadfast commitment to democratic ideals, and unwavering dedication to repositioning Nigeria.
The forum also commended the national chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for providing transparent, purposeful, and visionary leadership throughout the primaries.
‘We express our profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his exemplary leadership, steadfast commitment to democratic ideals, and unwavering dedication to repositioning Nigeria through the Renewed Hope Agenda. His leadership continues to strengthen the APC as the foremost progressive political platform in Nigeria.
The group also expressed its appreciation to the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to the growth and unity of the APC in the state.
While condemning the state-sponsored protests against the candidates’ list, the group urged the victorious candidates to be magnanimous and extend hands of fellowship to other aspirants.
It said that the task ahead of the party is bigger than the ambition of individuals.
The forum added: ‘We unanimously congratulate all the duly elected APC National Assembly candidates across Ondo State . Their emergence is a demonstration of the confidence reposed in them by party delegates and stakeholders, and we express our unwavering support for every candidates fly the flag of our great party in the forthcoming general election.