The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday formally presented Senator Sharafadeen Alli to party members and the public as its governorship candidate for the 2027 Oyo State election, while unveiling Hon. Adesoji Adedeji as his running mate.
The event also featured the presentation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination form to Alli, marking another milestone in the party’s preparations for the 2027 governorship poll.
Adedeji, 46, is an Economics graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and hails from Iwo-Ate in Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area of Oyo State.
He is the younger brother of the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji.
In his acceptance speech, Alli described his emergence as a collective victory for all members of the party, pledging to provide inclusive, accountable and people-oriented leadership if elected governor.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee, the Oyo State leadership of the party, security agencies and party members for their support throughout the primary election process.
The senator also appreciated his fellow governorship aspirants, urging them and their supporters to close ranks and work together to return the APC to power in Oyo State.
According to him, the task ahead requires unity, sacrifice and collective commitment from all party faithful.
“Our people are yearning for leadership that listens, unites and understands their pains. They deserve a government that works for everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, social class or geopolitical zone,” Alli said.
He pledged that his administration would prioritise agriculture, education, youth empowerment, healthcare, infrastructure development, environmental protection and inclusive economic growth.
Alli added that his government would align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting justice, fairness, accountability, compassion and quality service delivery.
“I will remain accessible, accountable and a good listener. I will never take the trust of the people for granted. Let us reject division, embrace unity and work together to restore the true Pacesetter glory of Oyo State,” he said.
Accepting his nomination as the deputy governorship candidate, Adedeji expressed appreciation to the APC leadership for the confidence reposed in him and said he was optimistic that the party would emerge victorious in the 2027 governorship election.
Earlier, presenting the INEC nomination form to Alli, APC Deputy National Auditor, Gbenga Olayemi, described the senator as the party’s standard-bearer rather than an individual contestant, urging members to mobilise support and work towards victory at the polls.
Also speaking, Oyo State APC Chairman and former Deputy Governor, Moses Adeyemo, appealed to members to remain united, stressing that the party stood a better chance of delivering meaningful governance from government than from the opposition.
“By the grace of God, come May 29, 2027, our governor and deputy governor will be Senator Sharafadeen Alli and Hon. Adesoji Adedeji. I plead with us in the name of the Lord to come together,” Adeyemo said.
The ceremony was attended by members of the APC State Working Committee led by Adeyemo, National Assembly and State House of Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections, as well as prominent party leaders and stakeholders, including Senators Ayo Adeseun, Hosea Agboola and Femi Lanlehin, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Pa Timothy Jolaoso, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe and Alhaji Olayide Abbas, among others.
