Crisis Looms In APC As Stakeholders Reject Senator Alli’s Endorsement As Consensus Guber Candidate

Crisis is looming in the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the endorsement of the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Sharafadeen Alli, as the party’s consensus candidate in the 2027 governorship election.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the endorsement had been met with stiff resistance from other influential blocs within the party, exposing cracks in the APC’s internal cohesion in the state.

Allies of the late former governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and supporters of Senator Teslim Folarin have distanced themselves from the development, insisting that they were neither consulted nor aware of any formal process leading to Alli’s endorsement.

Sources within these camps described the exercise as lacking legitimacy, arguing that no credible stakeholders’ meeting was convened with broad representation across the state’s geopolitical zones.

They maintained that any decision taken outside such inclusive engagement cannot be binding on the party.

Party insiders further dismissed the endorsement as “mere child’s play,” alleging that it did not reflect the collective will of APC members in Oyo State.

They emphasised that critical decisions of this magnitude must involve stakeholders from the Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Ibadan zones.

The role of some individuals at the event had also drawn criticism. Fatai Ibikunle, who was seen publicly endorsing Alli, had been questioned by some stakeholders, who argued that his actions did not carry sufficient authority to determine the party’s direction.

Additionally, party sources cautioned against linking President Tinubu to what they described as “unauthorised political theatrics”, warning that attempts to attribute endorsements to him without formal backing could mislead party members.

Further concerns were raised over the absence of the Oyo State APC chairman and members of the state executive committee from the process.

Critics have labelled the exercise a “kangaroo endorsement”, alleging that it lacked institutional backing and due process.

At the centre of the dispute was the mode of selecting the party’s candidate.

Several stakeholders reiterated that the APC’s established position remains the adoption of direct primaries, describing the process as sacrosanct and non-negotiable.

They warned that any attempt to impose a candidate through endorsements could trigger internal resistance and jeopardise party unity.

The controversy had also unsettled other aspirants who have already purchased nomination and expression of interest forms. Many are said to be displeased with what they perceive as an attempt to confer undue advantage on a single aspirant ahead of the official primary process.