EXCLUSIVE: APC governorship ticket in Oyo remains open amid internal disagreements

By Raphael Jackson –

Contrary to speculations that Senator Sarafadeen Alli has secured the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, sources have disclosed to Western Post that the race remains open.

Although the Olubadan of Ibadan and former governor of the state, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, was reported to have endorsed Alli, with the decision allegedly receiving backing from Abuja, party insiders say no final agreement has been reached.

Unlike developments in other APC states where preferred candidates have reportedly emerged—such as Senator Adeola Olamilekan Yayi in Ogun and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat in Lagos—the situation in Oyo remains uncertain, with no consensus yet among key stakeholders.

It was gathered that a meeting convened by Mrs Florence Ajimobi, wife of the late former governor of the state, to ratify Alli’s endorsement did not produce the expected outcome.

The meeting, held at her Ibadan residence, was attended by several governorship aspirants and influential party figures.

Sources said discussions at the gathering stalled as aspirants failed to agree on the process for selecting the party’s candidate.

Those present at the meeting included Senators Teslim Folarin, Fatai Buhari and Sarafadeen Alli, alongside the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and Barrister Akeem Agbaje.

While Alli and Agbaje reportedly supported the adoption of a consensus candidate, other aspirants insisted on conducting open primaries to determine the party’s flagbearer.