The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has officially unveiled Senator Sharafadeen Alli as its governorship candidate for the 2027 Oyo State governorship election and announced Adesoji Adedeji as his running mate.
The APC on Thursday formally presented the Independent National Electoral Commission nomination form to Senator Alli while unveiling Adesoji Adedeji as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.
Alli emerged as the party’s flagbearer after defeating other aspirants, including the immediate past minister of power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; former deputy governor of Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan; Barrister Akeem Agbaje; and Engr. Oyedele Alao, among others, in the party’s governorship primary.
His deputy, Adedeji, 46, is an economics graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and hails from Iwo-Ate in the Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area of Oyo State, and he is also the younger brother of the executive chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji.
Speaking at the event, the Oyo State APC Chairman and former Deputy Governor, Moses Adeyemo, urged party members to close ranks and work together to ensure the party’s victory in the 2027 governorship election.
He stressed the importance of unity, saying the party stood a better chance of serving the people from government than from the opposition.
“By the grace of God, come May 29, 2027, our governor and deputy governor will be Senator Sharafadeen Alli and Hon. Adesoji Adedeji. I plead with us in the name of the Lord to come together,” he said.
Presenting the INEC nomination form to Alli, the APC Deputy National Auditor, Mr. Gbenga Olayemi described the governorship candidate as the party’s standard-bearer rather than an individual contestant, urging members to rally behind him ahead of the election.
In his acceptance speech, Alli described his emergence as the APC governorship candidate as a collective victory for all party members and pledged to lead with fairness, accountability, and inclusiveness if elected governor.
He appreciated President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee, the state leadership of the party, security agencies, and party members for their support during the primary election.
The senator also thanked his fellow aspirants and appealed to them and their supporters to unite behind the party’s ambition of reclaiming power in Oyo State.
According to him, the task ahead demands sacrifice, unity, and collective commitment from all party faithful.
“Our people are yearning for leadership that listens, unites, and understands their pains. They deserve a government that works for everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, social class, or geopolitical zone,” he said.
Alli said his administration would prioritise agriculture, youth empowerment, education, healthcare, infrastructure development, environmental protection, and inclusive economic growth if elected.
He added that his government would align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting justice, fairness, accountability, compassion, and service to the people.
“I will remain accessible, accountable, and a good listener. I will never take the trust of the people for granted. Let us reject division, embrace unity, and work together to restore the true pacesetter glory of Oyo State,” he added.
Accepting his nomination as the deputy governorship candidate, Adedeji thanked the party leadership for finding him worthy of the position and expressed confidence that the APC would emerge victorious in the 2027 governorship election.
The event was attended by members of the APC State Working Committee led by Adeyemo, National Assembly and State House of Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections, as well as party leaders and stakeholders, including Senators Ayo Adeseun, Hosea Agboola, and Femi Lanlehin; Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle; Pa Timothy Jolaoso; Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe; and Alhaji Olayide Abbas, among others.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
