The political landscape of Oyo State’s All Progressives Congress (APC) has been thrown into fresh uncertainty following the outright rejection of the endorsement of Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 elections by the immediate past Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
The development, which has exposed widening cracks within the state chapter of the APC, comes barely 24 hours after a group of influential party leaders publicly declared Alli as their preferred candidate during a high-level meeting held in Ibadan, the state capital.
The endorsement, announced on Friday, was presented as a strategic move to unify the party ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested gubernatorial race. Party stakeholders at the meeting argued that adopting a consensus candidate early would help avoid internal wrangling and strengthen the APC’s chances of reclaiming power in the state.
However, Adelabu, a prominent figure within the party and a former governorship candidate, swiftly distanced himself from the decision, describing it as premature, exclusionary, and lacking broad-based consultation.
In a strongly worded reaction, Adelabu maintained that the process leading to the endorsement did not reflect the democratic ideals of the party. He emphasized that no single bloc within the APC has the authority to impose a candidate on others, warning that such actions could further divide the party at a critical time.
“The APC is a party built on internal democracy, and any attempt to sideline key stakeholders or pre-determine outcomes will only weaken our collective strength,” Adelabu reportedly stated through close associates.
The controversy surrounding Alli’s endorsement gained further traction after a former senator, Ayo Adeseun, claimed that President Bola Tinubu had thrown his weight behind Alli’s candidacy.
“Mr. President remains the leader of our party, and his opinion on who flies the party’s flag must be given due consideration,” Adeseun had said, suggesting that the endorsement carried significant backing from the highest level of party leadership.
But Adelabu’s camp has pushed back against this claim, insisting that invoking the President’s name in local political arrangements without clear, verifiable backing could be misleading and destabilizing.
Sources within the APC in Oyo State indicate that Adelabu’s rejection is not merely about process but also reflects deeper ambitions and unresolved rivalries within the party. Having contested the governorship seat previously and maintained a strong political structure across the state, Adelabu is widely believed to be preparing for another shot at the top job.
Political observers note that the unfolding situation underscores a familiar pattern within Nigerian party politics, where early endorsements often trigger counter-alignments rather than consensus.
“This is less about Sharafadeen Alli and more about control of the party structure ahead of 2027,” a political analyst in Ibadan remarked. “Adelabu remains a formidable force, and any attempt to sideline him is bound to meet resistance.”
Meanwhile, supporters of Alli have defended the endorsement, arguing that it was the outcome of extensive consultations among party elders and stakeholders who believe the senator possesses the experience and political clout needed to lead the APC to victory.
They also dismissed Adelabu’s objections as expected political positioning, insisting that more stakeholders would eventually rally behind the consensus arrangement in the interest of party unity.
Despite these assurances, tensions continue to simmer, with indications that other aspirants may also emerge in the coming months, further complicating efforts to present a united front.
As the APC navigates this delicate phase, party leaders at the national level are expected to monitor developments closely to prevent the crisis from escalating into a full-blown factional split.
For now, the battle lines appear drawn in Oyo APC, with Adelabu’s defiance signaling that the road to 2027 will be anything but smooth. The coming months will likely determine whether the party can reconcile its internal differences or head into the elections divided, an outcome that could significantly shape the political future of Oyo State.
