The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved to resolve internal differences by reconciling its governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, with four aggrieved aspirants ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Chairman of the Governorship Reconciliation Committee, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, announced the reconciliation alongside the Committee’s Co-Chairman, Taoheed Adedoja.
Lanlehin said the former aspirants had agreed to put the contest behind them and work with Senator Alli in the interest of the party and its electoral success in 2027.
He recalled that 11 aspirants contested the APC governorship primary, at the end of which Senator Alli emerged as the party’s candidate.
He said while some aspirants understandably had reservations about the process and its outcome, the Committee recognised that a political contest ultimately gives way to the larger responsibility of building the party and winning the confidence of the people.
“That is the purpose of the Governorship Aspirants’ Reconciliation Committee. Through our engagements with the aspirants, we listened to their concerns and disappointments and, importantly, found that we have far more that unites us than divides us. We all desire the progress of Oyo State and the success of the APC.
“Today, we are pleased to announce that four distinguished governorship aspirants – His Excellency Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, Oyedele Hakeem Alao, Musbau Asatola Asanike and Ololade Usman Bakare have agreed to put the contest behind and work with Senator Sharafadeen Alli, in the interest of the party and our victory in the 2027 General Election,” Lanlehin stated
He acknowledged that Adewale Kolapo Kareem had demonstrated his continued commitment to the party, saying their action is a victory for collective interest over individual ambition, reconciliation over division and unity over factionalism.
“No candidate can win a general election by relying only on those who supported him in the primary. A governorship election is won by a united political family. Our task now is to transform the strength of our different political groups into one formidable APC capable of winning in the 2027 General Election,” Lanlehin noted.
He said the APC in Oyo State is part of a national political movement, affirming that the performance of the party will affect its representation at the governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly levels, as well as the overall strength of the party.
Lanlehin disclosed that Oyo State has a critical role to play in securing the 2027 mandate of President Bola Tinubu, and must therefore approach the coming election with discipline, unity and determination, and work collectively to deliver overwhelming votes for the president and all APC candidates.
He opined that victory cannot be achieved by political arithmetic alone, saying the APC must earn the confidence of the people of Oyo State by demonstrating that it is capable of putting its house in order and providing responsible, inclusive and purposeful leadership.
“The reconciliation we celebrate today must therefore be the beginning of more reconciliation within our party. The door must remain open to every member who still has concerns. There should be no victor and no vanquished in reconciliation. Our message is simple: From contest to reconciliation. From reconciliation to unity. From unity to victory.
“Let us unite behind Senator Sharafadeen Alli, strengthen the APC in Oyo State, deliver our votes overwhelmingly for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, and work together to give the people of Oyo State the government they deserve,” Lanlehin concluded.
