Oyo APC crisis deepens as six governorship aspirants reject Alli’s emergence

By Adejayan Gbenga

The crisis within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened on Wednesday as six governorship aspirants insisted the party was yet to have a recognised candidate for the forthcoming governorship election, despite the announcement of Senator Sharafadeen Alli as its flag bearer.

The aspirants made their position known after meeting with a reconciliation committee established by the party to address disagreements over the process that produced Alli as the APC governorship candidate. Those present at the meeting were Engineer Hakeem Alao, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, Dr Ayobami Lam-Adesina, Barrister Akeem Agbaje, Mr Ololade Bakare and Barrister Musibau Asanike.

The dispute followed the announcement by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) naming Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, as the party’s governorship candidate. However, the declaration sparked opposition from some aspirants and stakeholders, with the disagreement reportedly leading to protests at the party’s state secretariat.

Speaking after the meeting with the reconciliation committee, chaired by Senator Femi Lanlehin, Alao said the aspirants had presented their grievances and concerns to the panel for consideration. He maintained that the issues surrounding the emergence of the candidate had yet to be resolved.

According to Alao, the party had not completed the necessary process required to produce a final governorship candidate. He stressed that while the aspirants remained loyal to the APC, they could not recognise any individual as the party’s candidate at this stage.

“We have intimated the committee of our grievances and we made our position known. Just like you have asked, there is no candidate for now,” Alao said. “We are going to have a candidate at the end of the day. Whoever is picked at the end of the day, we are going to work with the person, but as at now, we have no gubernatorial candidate in APC.”

Meanwhile, another aspirant, Barrister Musibau Asanike, described the meeting as part of efforts to find a lasting solution to the dispute and restore unity within the party. He urged the reconciliation committee to give due consideration to the recommendations submitted by the aggrieved aspirants.

Asanike added that the aspirants participated in the reconciliation process because they wanted the APC to remain united and better positioned for future electoral contests, including the governorship and presidential elections. The party leadership is expected to continue consultations with stakeholders in an effort to resolve the crisis and present a united front ahead of the polls.