Senator Alli crushes Adelabu to emerge Oyo APC Governorship candidate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Oyo State ended with a sweeping victory for Senator Sarafadeen Alli, who emerged as the party’s candidate after securing 578,143 votes in the exercise held across the state.

Alli defeated other contenders by a wide margin, with Senator Buhari polling 37,265 votes, while former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, garnered 19,193 votes.

The outcome of the primary sparked celebrations among supporters of the APC chieftain, as prominent businessman and Okanlomo Oodua/Bada Olubadan, Dotun Sanusi, described the victory as a reflection of the confidence reposed in Alli’s leadership and vision for Oyo State.

In a congratulatory message, Sanusi praised members of the APC, market groups, political associates and supporters for their commitment throughout the exercise, saying the result represented a triumph for progressive forces in the state seeking a new direction ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Despite the overwhelming victory recorded by Alli, the exercise was trailed by controversy as Adelabu alleged widespread irregularities in parts of the state.

Speaking with journalists shortly after casting his vote at Ward 9 in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, Adelabu maintained that the process in his ward was orderly, peaceful and transparent, adding that he received massive support from party members there. According to him, more than 430 out of about 437 registered members voted in his favour in the ward.

While expressing satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise in his immediate constituency, the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria alleged that reports from other parts of Oyo State pointed to incidents of intimidation, manipulation and electoral misconduct.

Adelabu claimed that voting allegedly commenced ahead of schedule in some wards, while party members in certain areas were prevented from participating through threats and violence. He further alleged that results were compiled in some locations where elections reportedly did not hold.

The APC stalwart also accused some party officials of collaborating with particular aspirants in an attempt to impose consensus candidates, contrary to the directive of the party’s national leadership for a transparent direct primary election. He insisted that all 11 aspirants who purchased nomination forms and were screened for the contest deserved an equal opportunity.

Adelabu disclosed that formal petitions over the alleged irregularities would be forwarded to the relevant party authorities, covering complaints from the Ibadan, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomosho, Ibarapa and Oyo zones. He warned against attempts to force what he described as an unpopular candidate on party members through manipulated outcomes.

However, officials overseeing the exercise dismissed claims of bias and irregularities, insisting that the process remained peaceful and credible across the state.

A member of the primary election committee, Abdulsalam, said monitors deployed across Oyo observed orderly conduct by party members during voting, adding that the atmosphere remained calm and friendly throughout the exercise. He also rejected speculations that the presidency had endorsed any aspirant ahead of the poll.

Similarly, Chairman of the APC Primary Election Monitoring Committee in Oyo State, Chief Ayo Afolabi, commended party faithful for their peaceful disposition during the exercise, describing the turnout as impressive.

Afolabi urged aggrieved members and aspirants to unite behind the eventual candidate in preparation for the 2027 governorship contest, expressing optimism that the APC would emerge stronger after the primary.