Oyo 2027: Court Battle Deepens ADC Ticket Crisis as Alagbe, Aborisade Begin Campaign
Oyo 2027: Court Battle Deepens ADC Ticket Crisis as Alagbe, Aborisade Begin Campaign
The battle for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship ticket in Oyo State has entered a critical phase as Dr Gbemileke Alagbe and his running mate, Chief Niyi Aborisade, insist that the judiciary will ultimately determine the party’s authentic candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
Despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) publishing Adegboyega Adegoke as the ADC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Alagbe and Aborisade have pressed ahead with their political activities, formally kicking off their campaign in Oyo town while awaiting the outcome of the legal challenge over the disputed ticket.
The development has effectively shifted the Oyo ADC governorship crisis from an internal party disagreement to a judicial contest that could determine who eventually flies the party’s flag in the 2027 election.
Alagbe maintains that he emerged victorious from the ADC governorship primary held on May 22, 2026, and subsequently picked Aborisade as his running mate.
However, the publication of Adegoke’s name as the party’s governorship candidate by INEC intensified the controversy and prompted the ongoing legal battle.
The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan had on September 15 adjourned further hearing in the suit challenging the ADC governorship candidacy until September 30, 2026, following fresh applications and issues surrounding the service of court processes.
Speaking during the campaign flag-off in Oyo town, Aborisade maintained that the pending court action would not prevent his camp from taking its message to voters across the state.
According to him, Alagbe and his supporters would continue to exercise their right to engage residents and explain their programmes while allowing the judiciary to resolve the dispute surrounding the party’s ticket.
Aborisade urged ADC supporters to remain calm and allow the legal process to run its course, expressing confidence in the position being advanced by the Alagbe camp.
The decision to launch the campaign in Oyo town rather than Ibadan was also described as deliberate, with Aborisade pointing to the ancient city’s historical and cultural significance.
He said the campaign train would subsequently move to Ogbomoso, Ibarapa and other parts of the state before reaching Ibadan.
Activities marking the flag-off included a road walk and visits to markets, including Ajegunle Market, where Alagbe, Aborisade and their supporters interacted with traders and residents.
The campaign delegation also visited the Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja as part of its consultations.
Beyond the ticket controversy, Aborisade said their proposed administration would focus on free education, stronger local government autonomy and improved security if elected.
The unfolding legal battle is expected to remain a major issue within the Oyo ADC as preparations for the 2027 governorship election gather momentum.
With competing claims to the party’s ticket and the matter now before the Federal High Court, attention will turn to the September 30 proceedings in Ibadan for the next stage of the dispute.
