The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State for the 2027 general election, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, on Thursday received his Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination form and formally unveiled Mr Adesoji Michael Adedeji as his running mate.
Adedeji, a 46-year-old Economics graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, hails from Iwo-Ate in Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Speaking at the event, the Oyo State APC chairman and former deputy governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, urged party members to remain united and work together to secure victory for the party in the 2027 governorship election.
Adeyemo said the APC stood a better chance of serving the people from government than from the opposition, appealing to aggrieved members to put aside their grievances in the interest of the party.
“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, APC Deputy National Auditor, Mr Gbenga Olayemi, described the senator as the party’s flagbearer and said his candidacy represented the collective aspiration of all APC members in the state.
“You will recall that I presented the nomination forms to National Assembly candidates on Monday. Senator Alli is not just our governorship candidate; he is our flagbearer. Every APC member in Oyo State is a governorship candidate,” Olayemi said.
In his acceptance speech, Alli described his emergence as the APC governorship candidate as a collective victory for all party members and pledged to provide inclusive, accountable and people-centred leadership if elected governor.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee, the Oyo State leadership of the party, security agencies and party members for their support throughout the primary election.
The senator also appreciated his fellow aspirants, urging them and their supporters to unite behind the APC’s mission of reclaiming Oyo State.
According to him, the task ahead requires unity, sacrifice and collective commitment, stressing that the party must move beyond the primary election and work together to secure victory in the 2027 governorship election.
“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, if elected, would prioritise agricultural development, youth empowerment, improved education and healthcare, infrastructure renewal, environmental protection and policies that would ensure economic growth benefits every part of the state.
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 said.
Accepting his nomination as the APC deputy governorship candidate, Adedeji thanked the party leadership for the confidence reposed in him and expressed optimism 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 Chief Moses Adeyemo, National Assembly and State 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 and Alhaji Olayide Abbas, among others.
