Sen Alli Defends His Endorsement As Oyo Consensus Candidate

A governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Chief Sarafadeen Alli, has defended his endorsement by party leaders in the Southwest as a consensus candidate, describing it as a normal tradition within progressive politics in Nigeria.

Alli, who currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, declared that his endorsement was in order.

Reacting to comments by some aspirants who claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other party leaders had not endorsed him and others as consensus candidates at an award ceremony organised by the Ijebu-Jesa Social Club (IJSC), Ibadan branch, Alli emphasised that the APC, as a progressive party, recognises loyalty, seniority, and dedication, among other qualities, in selecting candidates for elective positions.

The award ceremony was in honour of Pa Rauf Aderibigbe Adelabu (Old Student, Ijebu-Jesa Grammar School, 1957–1962), Chief (Mrs.) Felicia Aderemi Ilaka (Need Ibalodu), late Yeyelaje of Ijebu-Jesa, and Professor Akin Fajola, past President of the club (1999–2007).

He added that preparations for the 2027 elections had already begun, noting that the party leadership in the Southwest had adopted him as the consensus gubernatorial candidate for Oyo State alongside others in similar positions.

“Consensus candidacy does not preclude other aspirants from contesting. The field remains open, and we shall meet at the primaries—whether direct or indirect—where it will become clear to those who enjoy the backing of party leaders,” he said.

In his remarks, the National President of Ijebu-Jesa Social Club, Chief Rotimi Obeisun, described the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, as an epitome of development.

He recounted how the monarch once allowed him to use a storage tank for five years without payment before he was able to build his own facility in Port Harcourt.

Oba Ladoja served as the Royal Father of the Day at the event.

Speaking on his behalf, Chief Odunlade Ademola, Aare Alasa of Ibadan, said the monarch had intended to attend in person but was unavoidably engaged at the National Egungun Festival in Ibadan that day.

Chief Ademola added that the monarch remains passionate about restoring Nigeria’s lost industrial glory, expressing a desire to see companies such as Exide Battery, Leyland, Peugeot Automobile, Epe Plywood, and Nigerian Wire and Cable return to full operation.

Earlier, Chairman of the Ijebu-Jesa Social Club, Ibadan branch, Professor Tolu Yoloye, in his welcome address, noted that the club, established in 1955, has grown into the largest and most vibrant social organisation in Ijebu-Jesa, with branches across Nigeria and abroad.

He added that the Ibadan branch was the oldest, noting that the organisation’s core objective is to identify and execute projects that promote the social, economic, educational, and cultural development of Ijebu-Jesa, among other goals.