Oyo APC aspirants reject Alli as six contenders challenge the party’s process of selecting its 2027 governorship candidate
Six out of 11 governorship aspirants who contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Oyo State on July 17, 2026, rejected the emergence of Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election, citing concerns over the selection process.
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The aggrieved aspirants announced their position after a meeting with a reconciliation committee established by the party to address internal disagreements following the primary election.
The committee was led by Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Professor Taoheed Adedoja, who met with the aspirants in an effort to resolve the dispute and strengthen unity within the party.
The six aspirants opposing Alli’s emergence are Engineer Hakeem Alao, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, Dr Ayobami Lam-Adesina, Barrister Akeem Agbaje, Mr Ololade Bakare and Barrister Musibau Asanike.
Oyo APC aspirants reject Alli after accusing the party of failing to comply with the required electoral procedures in choosing its governorship candidate.
Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved aspirants, Hakeem Alao said the party had not yet met the legal requirements needed to produce a recognised candidate.
“We have intimated the committee of our grievances and we made our position known. Just like you have asked, that is there candidate, there is no candidate for now. And we have not fulfilled the provisions of the electoral law,” Alao said.
He, however, described the disagreement as an internal party matter and expressed optimism that a resolution would be reached.
“We are going to have a candidate at the end of the day. Whoever is picked at the end of the day, we are going to work with the person but as at now, we have no gubernatorial candidate in APC,” he added.
The APC had recently announced Senator Sharafadeen Alli as its governorship candidate for Oyo State, a decision that has now triggered opposition from some of the aspirants who participated in the primary process.
The other aspirants who contested the primary include Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Dr Adewale Kareem, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Prince Musibau Asanike, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari and Senator Sharafadeen Alli.
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The dispute adds to the political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 governorship election, as parties continue efforts to manage internal disagreements and maintain unity among members.
