The governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has produced Senator Sarafadeen Alli as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election, following a decisive victory in a statewide exercise steamed with allegations of irregularities from rival camps.
According to official results announced after the exercise, Alli secured a commanding 578,143 votes, far ahead of his closest rivals. Senator Buhari polled 37,265 votes, while former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, recorded 19,193 votes.
The outcome triggered celebrations among Alli’s supporters across the state, with political allies and stakeholders describing the result as a reflection of his growing influence within the party and his appeal ahead of the general election.
Prominent businessman and APC chieftain, Dotun Sanusi, also congratulated the candidate, praising party members, market groups and supporters for their mobilisation during the primary. He said the outcome signalled what he described as a “renewed direction” for the party in Oyo State.
However, the exercise was not without controversy. Adelabu, one of the major contenders, rejected the process, alleging widespread irregularities in several parts of the state.
While he acknowledged that voting in his ward at Ward 9, Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, was peaceful and transparent—where he claimed to have secured overwhelming support—he insisted that the broader exercise was undermined by alleged malpractice.
He accused some party officials of manipulating the process, alleging that voting began earlier than scheduled in certain areas and that some party members were prevented from participating through intimidation and violence. He further alleged that results were compiled in locations where elections did not hold.
Adelabu also faulted alleged attempts to impose consensus candidates, insisting that all 11 aspirants who participated in the race deserved a fair and transparent contest in line with the party’s guidelines. He said petitions detailing the alleged infractions would be submitted to APC authorities covering multiple zones across the state.
But officials overseeing the primary dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the process was conducted peacefully and credibly across Oyo State.
A member of the election committee, Abdulsalam, said observers deployed across the state reported orderly conduct and a calm atmosphere throughout voting, while also rejecting claims of bias or external interference.
He further dismissed speculation of any endorsement from the presidency, insisting that the exercise remained strictly within the party’s internal democratic process.
