Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have formally adopted Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s consensus governorship candidate ahead of the forthcoming primary election.
The leaders reaffirmed Alli’s adoption on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
Speaking on behalf of the leaders, Pa Alarape Jolaoso said the adoption followed the long-standing tradition of progressive politics where party elders and stakeholders usually arrive at candidates through consensus.
Jolaoso stated that the leaders had received directives from President Bola Tinubu endorsing Senator Alli as the preferred consensus candidate of the party in Oyo State.
Also speaking, Senator Ayoade Adeseun said some critics initially doubted their claims about the party’s position, noting that unfolding events had now vindicated them.
Adeseun expressed confidence that Senator Alli would record an overwhelming victory if a direct primary election was eventually conducted, urging members to remain united and committed to the party.
He further appealed to members to extend hands of fellowship to aggrieved party faithful, stressing that everyone must work together for the progress and victory of the APC in the state.
A party chieftain, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, recalled that some members had earlier accused them of spreading falsehood after informing stakeholders that President Tinubu supported Alli’s emergence.
According to him, the latest development has confirmed that they acted in line with party directives and remained truthful in their position.
Ibikunle added that the state executive committee and other party leaders had already been briefed on the decision, declaring that Senator Alli remained the consensus governorship candidate of the APC in Oyo State.
