Oyo 2027: Olaniyan, Three APC Aspirants Reconcile With Sharafadeen Alli, Declare Support for Tinubu
Oyo 2027: Olaniyan, Three APC Aspirants Reconcile With Sharafadeen Alli, Declare Support for Tinubu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has recorded a major boost ahead of the 2027 general elections following the reconciliation of four former governorship aspirants with the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli.
The four APC chieftains are former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan; Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Alao; Prince Musbau Asatola Asanike; and Dr. Ololade Usman Bakare.
Their reconciliation followed a series of consultations initiated by the APC Governorship Aspirants’ Reconciliation Committee, which was established to resolve disagreements arising from the party’s governorship primary and strengthen unity within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Chairman of the reconciliation committee, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, announced the breakthrough during a press conference in Ibadan, saying the affected aspirants had agreed to put their differences behind them and work collectively for Alli and other APC candidates.
Lanlehin acknowledged that some of the 11 aspirants who participated in the governorship primary had expressed reservations over the conduct and outcome of the exercise. He, however, said extensive consultations revealed that the party members shared more common interests than differences.
According to him, Olaniyan, Alao, Asanike and Bakare have now agreed to work with Senator Alli in the overall interest of the APC and its quest to secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
He described the reconciliation as an important victory for party unity, stressing that collective interest must take precedence over individual political ambitions if the APC intends to emerge victorious in Oyo State.
Lanlehin maintained that no governorship candidate could win a general election by depending solely on supporters from a party primary, noting that success at the polls would require the cooperation and mobilisation of the entire APC political family across the state.
In a communique issued following the reconciliation meetings, the four former aspirants also declared their unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, Senator Sharafadeen Alli and other APC candidates contesting various positions.
They pledged to cooperate fully with the party leadership and campaign structures to mobilise voters and strengthen the APC ahead of the elections.
The reconciliation committee further disclosed that discussions with members of the group of aggrieved governorship aspirants, popularly referred to as the “G6,” had largely been concluded, with Mr Akeem Agbaje remaining the exception.
The reconciled aspirants also expressed their desire to meet President Tinubu at his convenience to personally reaffirm their support for his second-term ambition.
The development is expected to strengthen Senator Alli’s political machinery as the APC intensifies efforts to consolidate its support base across Oyo State ahead of the governorship election.
With reconciliation becoming a major priority following the governorship primary, party stakeholders are expected to continue consultations aimed at bringing other interests on board and presenting a united front against opposition parties in the battle for control of Oyo State in 2027.
