Senator Alli Mercilessly ‘Flogs’ Ex-Power Minister Adelabu, Others To Win Oyo APC Governorship Ticket
Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli mercilessly “flogged” former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and nine other aspirants to emerge the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
In his landslide victory at the party’s direct primary election held on Thursday, Alli notched up 578,143 votes to 19,193 for Adelabu, who managed the third position.
Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, representing Oyo South Senatorial District, defeated 10 other aspirants, including former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr Rauf Olaniyan; Senator Abdulfatai Buhari; and Barrister Akeem Agbaje, among others.
According to results collated from across the state’s 33 local government areas, Alli polled a commanding 578,143 votes to clinch the ticket.
Senator Buhari came a distant second with 37,265 votes, while Adelabu, who resigned his position as Minister of Power to pursue the governorship ambition, managed to secure only 19,193 votes.
The outcome of the primary sparked celebrations among supporters of the APC chieftain across the state, with prominent businessman and Okanlomo Oodua/Bada Olubadan, Dotun Sanusi, describing the victory as a reflection of the confidence reposed in Alli’s leadership and vision for Oyo State.
The APC disclosed that Alli won in 350 out of the 351 wards in the state, losing only one ward to another aspirant.
In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC commended members for what it described as their mature and peaceful conduct during the exercise, describing the rancour-free primary as a signal of the party’s readiness to reclaim the Agodi Government House in the 2027 governorship election.
However, the exercise was not without controversy, as Adelabu alleged widespread irregularities in parts of the state.
Earlier, Adelabu had described the exercise in his Ward 9, Ibadan South-East Local Government Area as peaceful, transparent, and credible, noting that out of about 437 registered party members in the ward, over 430 voted in his favour.
The APC state leadership has commenced moves to avert a post-primary election crisis, admitting that some aspirants and stakeholders were dissatisfied with aspects of the exercises but assuring members that no individual or interest group would be neglected in the party’s affairs.
The party’s National Secretariat is expected to formally announce the final results and declare Alli as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 governorship election.
