The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State has kick-started preparations for the 2027 general elections with the unveiling of 50 candidates for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly positions.
At a ceremony held on Friday at the Oyo State APC Secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli was presented as the party’s governorship candidate, while Hon. Soji Adedeji emerged as his running mate.
Alli, who currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate, used the occasion to appeal for unity within the party, particularly among aspirants who contested the governorship ticket with him, describing them not as rivals but as brothers and stakeholders whose support would be critical to the APC’s success in 2027.
Expressing gratitude to God Almighty, President Bola Tinubu, the party’s leadership and members for entrusting him with the governorship ticket, Alli said the victory of the APC would depend largely on its ability to overcome internal divisions and present a united front to the electorate.
He urged those who contested the ticket alongside him to put the primary election behind them and work together towards achieving the party’s broader objective.
According to Alli, “Those who contested the governorship ticket alongside me should not be regarded as opponents but as brothers and critical stakeholders in the collective struggle for the party’s victory.”
He warned that internal disagreements and divisions could undermine the party’s prospects at the general elections, stressing that unity remained essential if the APC was to secure victory across the state.
The governorship candidate said, “A united APC would present a stronger front and improve the party’s chances of electoral victory across Oyo State.”
Alli also sought to broaden the appeal of his candidacy by promising an inclusive administration if elected governor, saying his government would place emphasis on sectors with direct impact on the wellbeing and economic prospects of residents.
He specifically listed education, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure among his priorities, promising that every part of the state would receive attention under his administration.
The unveiling also saw the party present its candidates for the three senatorial districts, with Senator Yunus Abiodun Akintunde flying the APC flag in Oyo Central, Mrs Hannah Olawumi Ogunsean in Oyo North and Hon. Engr. Aderemi Abasi Oseni in Oyo South.
The party equally unveiled its 14 candidates for the House of Representatives, reflecting its intention to contest all the federal constituencies in the state.
The candidates are Hon. Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi for Afijio/Atiba/Oyo East/Oyo West; Hon. Wasiu Olafiye Akinmoyede for Akinyele/Lagelu; Tajudeen Kareem for Atisbo/Saki East/Saki West; and Hon. Akinola Adekunle Alabi for Egbeda/Ona-Ara.
Others are Umar Faruq Alao Arisekola for Ibadan North; Olatunji Olaiya for Ibadan North East/Ibadan South East; Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo for Ibadan North West/Ibadan South West; Sarafadeen Olaoniye for Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North; and Yusuf Asimiyu Osuolale for Ibarapa East/Ido.
Also unveiled were Barr. Bosun Oladele for Irepo/Olorunsogo/Orelope; Saheed Adejare Yusuf for Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa; Olamiju Alao Akala for Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Orire; Olusegun Odebunmi for Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere; and Tolulope Akande Sadipe for Oluyole.
The party further unveiled candidates for all 32 Oyo State House of Assembly constituencies, signalling its determination to build electoral strength not only at the governorship level but across the legislative structure.
Among those presented were Oyewole Abiola for Afijio, Ajao Olugbega for Akinyele I, Owoade Tunde Jelili for Akinyele II, Ijadunola Olushina for Atiba and Olumide Yemi Bernard for Egbeda.
Other candidates include Adeyemi Olaide, Aderibigbe Abiodun, Razak Adekunle G., Adepoju Steve A., Jimoh Tesleem B., Hamzat Wasiu O., Adegoke Wariths, Tolani Mary Adigun, Okunola Taiwo Ado, Ogunlade Babatunde S., Tajudeen Amoo, Adeleke Taiwo Azeez and Salami Waliu.
The remaining candidates unveiled were Akande Babatunde, Salami Ademola Rasheed, Azeez Musbau Akintola, Giwa Hassan Olawale, Shittu Abdulfatai, Adegoke Ayodeji, Lawal Akeem, Funmilola Obisesan, Jimoh Luqman, Bamigboye Jacob A., Ajeigbe Abiodun A., Shittu Ibrahim, Aliu Tajudeen Adetunji and Jesutoye Olayinka.
Earlier, the Oyo APC Chairman, Chief Adeyemo Alake, charged party leaders, stakeholders and members to close ranks and commit themselves to a collective effort towards securing victory for the party in the 2027 elections.
Alake said the candidates unveiled at the ceremony had been affirmed by the APC as its flag bearers for the forthcoming general elections, urging members to support them as the party enters the next phase of its political mobilisation.
The event attracted a wide spectrum of APC leaders, stakeholders and supporters, including the deputy governorship candidate, Soji Adedeji; former Deputy Governor, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; wife of the late former governor, Mrs Oluwakemi Alao-Akala; former Oyo North Senator, Senator Hosea Ayoola Alleluya; members of the state executive; party chairmen from the 33 local government areas; other party leaders, members and supporters.
