Oyo 2027: Speculations Heighten  As “Some APC Leaders” Endorse Alli As Consensus Guber Candidate

By Akanni Toba

Speculations have started trailing the decision of some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo who came out boldly to declare Sarafadeen Alli, one of the leading governorship aspirants of the party, as the “consensus candidate” for 2027 election in the state.

The declaration was made following a meeting held at the state capital, Ibadan, on Friday

The meeting which was attended by prominent politicians from across the five  geopolitical zones of the state.

Some of the politicians present at the meeting took turns to address the press after the meeting concerning the purpose and resolutions of the meeting.

Speaking at the event, a chieftain of the APC in Oyo, Senator Hamzat Adeseun, explained that the meeting was convened primarily to throw their weights behind Alli’s candidacy.

According to Adeseun, who is from Ogbomoso, the decision followed extensive consultations, and was further strengthened by the position of President Bola Tinubu.

Apart from Ibadan, Ogbomoso boasts the highest number of local governments in the state.

“Mr. President remains the leader of our party, and his opinion on who flies the party’s flag must be given due consideration.” Adeseun said.

Speaking in a similar vein, another chieftain of the party, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, reaffirmed the position of the party leadership.

Ibikunle who hails from Ibarapa, disclosed that he also held discussions with President Tinubu.

He said that Tinubu had already endorsed Alli as the preferred candidate for the 2027 election in Oyo State.

Ibikunle called on other aspirants to align with the consensus decision in the interest of the party.

Three prominent politicians are leading aspirants trying to fly the flag of the APC as the party’s governorship candidate in the 2027 election.

They are Teslim Folarin, Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu and the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sarafadeen Alli.

The three leading aspirants hail from Ibadan.

Meanwhile, there are speculations that Ali is the anointed candidate of the Olubadan of Ibadan who is also a former governor of Oyo State.

Ali served as the secretary to the state government during Ladoja’s reign.

According to the speculation, Ladoja has the ear of Tinubu who is believed to be waiting for the appropriate time to stamp Alli’s declaration as consensus candidate.

However, Adelabu, who resigned recently as minister of power to join the Oyo Guber Race, has debunked the speculation that Tinubu has handpicked one of the politicians as his preferred candidate, describing the claim as a “lie”.