There is strain within the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, regarding a supposed list of “consensus” candidates that surfaced over the weekend.
The list, which was reportedly assembled by certain party leaders, featured names of individuals who were seemingly selected as gubernatorial candidates, deputy gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates, and candidates for the House of Representatives.
The document suggested that Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Dr. Sharafadeen Alli, was nominated as the gubernatorial candidate.
Alli, who originates from Ibadan, is a former secretary to the Oyo State government.
Another individual, Mr. Soji Adedeji, a sibling of the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacchaeus Adedeji, was reportedly chosen as the Deputy gubernatorial candidate, hailing from the Ogbomoso geopolitical zone.
The list further indicated that a member of the House of Representatives for the Ido/Ibarapa East federal constituency, Aderemi Oseni, was selected for Oyo South Senatorial District, while Senator Yunus Akintunde, currently serving Oyo Central Senatorial District, has been selected to run again, and a former Head of Service under the last administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Mrs. Hannah Ogunrsan, has been designated to represent Oyo North Senatorial District.
For the House of Representatives, the list specified that Mr. Faruk Arisekola has been selected to represent Ibadan North federal constituency, Funke Adesiyan for Ibadan North East/Ibadan South East federal constituency, while Idris Ajimobi, son of the former governor Abiola Ajimobi, was chosen to represent Ibadan North West/Ibadan South West federal constituency. Additionally, Hon. Lafioye Akinmoyede, presently serving the Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency, has been urged to run again.
Others includes Mr. Akin Akinjide, earmarked for Egbeda/Ona-Ara federal constituency, Hon. Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye for Oluyole federal constituency, Hon. Sunday Adepoju for Ido/Ibarapa East federal constituency, Hon. Muraina Ajibola for Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North federal constituency, and Hon. Akeem Adeyemi who has also been designated for Oyo East/Oyo West/Atiba/Afijio federal constituency.
Additionally, Olamiju Alao-Akala is slated to run again in Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Oriire federal constituency, Hon. Bosun Oladele to represent Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope, Mr. Yusuf Alaran for Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Hon. Tajudeen Kareem to re-contest for Saki East/Saki West/Atisbo federal constituency, and Hon. Segun Odebunmi has been selected to represent Surulere/Ogo-Oluwa federal constituency.
Nevertheless, NAIJATAB has gathered that most of the aspirants who invested heavily in campaigns are disgruntled with the alleged list.
Individuals who requested not to be named expressed their dissatisfaction with the supposed list, asserting that the scenario has created tension within the political party in the region.
Meanwhile, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, when reached, referred to the alleged list as fraudulent.
He mentioned that the party has initiated an inquiry to determine those responsible for the list.
Sadare, in a discussion with NAIJATAB on Monday, stated, “It is false. In fact, the leadership of our esteemed party has commenced an investigation into the origins of this newly circulated list of supposed Oyo APC candidates, which emerged on social media just a few hours ago. We assure our large membership and supporters that the list is not only fraudulent but also misleading and inciting. As it stands, we do not possess any aspirant or candidate list for 2027 since it is premature for the declaration of interest, nominations, and party primaries.”
