On Friday, May 1st, 2026, many notable, credible, and unequivocal personalities in Oyo State APC converged at the Bible Guest House Hall in Samonda, Ibadan to receive the endorsement message of Senator Sarafa Alli from those who met and received the message directly from His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Distinguished personalities at the meeting cut across all political zones in the state. Notable attendees included Senator Ayo Adeseun (Former Senator representing Oyo Central), Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Chief Akin Oke (Former State Chairman of APC), Rt. Hon Asimiyu Alarape (Former Speaker OYHA), Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe (Former ALGON Chairman), many former local government chairmen, numerous federal lawmakers, and all four state lawmakers in Oyo State APC.
The main message was clear and unambiguous: the President, in his capacity as the leader of the party, has endorsed Senator Sarafa Alli as his preferred candidate for the Oyo State governorship election in 2027. This message was delivered by Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, who met the President directly on this matter three times, and Senator Ayo Adeseun, who met him twice. The candidate himself also met with the President, and the message was consistent.
It should be noted that both Senator Ayo Adeseun and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle were staunch supporters of Oloye Bayo Adelabu until recently. Additionally, Hon Remi Oseni informed his supporters that the President advised him to step down from his gubernatorial ambition and run for the Senate because Senator Alli would be the preferred governorship candidate.
Despite the clarity of the messages, individuals who have never met the President are claiming that the message delivered was untrue. Before disputing a claim, one should provide an alternative version with more empirical evidence or wait for the person to whom the claim is attributed to publicly denounce it. It has been over 48 hours since the proclamation was made, and it has not been denounced by the Presidency, APC National Office, or the APC at the state level. Until this is done, all objections against it are baseless.
This would not be the first time the President has endorsed a governorship candidate for Oyo State or other states in Nigeria. He endorsed Senator Abiola Ajimobi (of blessed memory) for us, and he won the election in 2011, cleanly and clearly.
About six weeks ago, when Senator Alli’s name emerged for this endorsement, three names emerged together. Hamzat emerged for Lagos and has now been adopted as the consensus candidate; Yayi emerged in Ogun State and has been adopted. By the grace of Almighty God, Sarafa Alli will emerge, and everyone endorsed by the President and APC will emerge victorious in the main election.
A particular candidate who recently resigned from the Federal Executive Council has also claimed that he was endorsed by the President without any witnesses to support his claims privately or publicly. In addition to the personalities mentioned above, at least five high-ranking traditional rulers in the state met with the President and conveyed the message to their subjects that Senator Sarafa Alli has been endorsed by the President.
Ardent supporters of other candidates should note that none of the leading aspirants did not seek the endorsement of both the President and the Obas. They also agreed to accept whoever the President endorses. The name-calling, vituperations against the Obas, President, and Senator Alli are double standards, undeserved, afterthoughts, and time-wasting.
Oyo State APC members should strive to rise above double standards and sentiments. They should also understand that an endorsement is far from an imposition. While Oloye Bayo Adelabu was imposed on the party in 2019, there will be a direct primary to select our candidates in 2027. Senator Adeseun explained on Friday that all other aspirants who wish to contest the election against the aspirant already endorsed and anointed by the President will be allowed to participate.
Endorsement is different from imposition.
Chief (Hon) Akinyemi Akinlabi
Former Chairman, Ibarapa Central Local Government
Igboora
