Alli scales APC gov’ship screening in Oyo, receives ex-NASS members’ endorsement

Sharafadeen Alli, a leading APC Governorship aspirant in Oyo State and Senator, representing Oyo South Senatorial District, has successfully scaled the party’s screening process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This is because former members of the National Assembly from Oyo State, especially members in the All Progressives Congress (APC) have thrown their weight behind Alli.

Alli has, however, appeared before APC National Screening Committee in Abuja at the weekend, where he was screened and subsequently cleared to participate in the race for the party’s gubernatorial ticket.

The development has effectively dismissed claims and speculations being circulated by some aggrieved politicians operating under the guise of concerned youths against the aspiration of the Oyo South Senator.

It will be recalled that top leaders and influential stakeholders of the Oyo APC had earlier aligned with the endorsement of Alli by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party’s preferred governorship candidate during a stakeholders’ gathering held at Samonda, Ibadan few weeks ago.

Following the successful completion of the screening exercise, congratulatory messages had poured in from party leaders, supporters, associates and well-wishers across the State.

Political observers believe the latest development has further strengthened Alli’s position and brightened his chances of emerging as the APC Governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Oyo State.

Meanwhile, as the 2027 elections beckon former members of the National Assembly from Oyo State, especially those of us in the All Progressives Congress (APC) said, “We want to align with the choice of Senator Sharafadeen Alli as our governorship candidate in the 2027 election by our National Leader, President Bola Tinubu for endorsing him and our Leaders from Oyo State for the timely intervention.

“We have decided to make our mind known pertaining the selection of governorship candidate of our great party(APC). For months, and within ourselves, we have carefully examined the aspirants as well as their educational and political resume and we cannot but be happy with the caliber of people paraded by our party. Most of these aspirants are accomplished professionals and tested politicians in every way.

“Going by recent events within our party in the state, we have decided to toe the line the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and majority of our party leaders in Oyo State are toeing. This is not about us but about our party and the people of the State.

“We believe in the leadership of our President, Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party leader and Chief Executive of the country. Considering his knack for choosing right people for right position which he has done together with our leaders from Oyo State, we want to align with his choice of Sen. Sharafadeen Alli as our governorship candidate in the 2027 election.

“What our leaders did on Friday, last week, by coming together to endorse Sen. Sharafadeen Alli is commendable and something other groups within our party should do.

“At the same time, we, as former parliamentarians, are convinced by Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s track record as a member of the red chamber and a former Secretary to the State Government. He also performed as council chairman and chairman of the Odu’a group of companies. That gives him a record of excellent public service experience in executive and legislative offices.”