According to a report by PM News Nigeria on Thursday, May 21, 2026, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Oyo State has produced Senator Sarafadeen Alli as the party’s flagbearer ahead of the 2027 governorship election, following a decisive victory in the exercise conducted across the state.
Alli secured a total of 578,143 votes to defeat his closest rivals in a contest that drew wide participation from party members.
According to the official results, Senator Buhari polled 37,265 votes, while former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, recorded 19,193 votes.
The outcome triggered jubilation among supporters of the APC candidate, with political stakeholders and prominent figures describing the result as a strong endorsement of Alli’s influence within the party structure and his political reach across Oyo State.
Among those who congratulated him was businessman and traditional title holder, Dotun Sanusi, who said the victory reflected growing confidence in Alli’s leadership capacity and his agenda for the state.
Sanusi also commended party members, market associations, political allies and campaign supporters for their active involvement in the process, noting that the result signalled a shift in political momentum within the APC ahead of the next general election cycle.
However, the primary was not without controversy as Adebayo Adelabu raised concerns over the conduct of the exercise in some parts of the state.
Adelabu, who voted at Ward 9 in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, said the election in his polling area was peaceful and transparent, adding that he received overwhelming backing from party members there. He claimed that over 430 out of about 437 registered voters in his ward supported his candidacy.
Despite this, he alleged that the process in several other locations was marred by irregularities, including claims of voter intimidation, procedural breaches and disruptions in some wards.
The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria further alleged that voting reportedly began earlier than scheduled in certain areas, while some party members were allegedly denied participation. He also claimed that results were declared in a few locations where voting may not have fully taken place.
Adelabu accused some party officials of working in favour of selected aspirants in violation of the party’s directive for a transparent and competitive primary, insisting that all 11 cleared aspirants should have been given equal opportunity.
He disclosed plans to submit formal complaints to relevant party authorities, covering reports from various zones including Ibadan, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomosho, Ibarapa and Oyo areas. He cautioned against any attempt to impose a candidate on the party through what he described as manipulated processes.
Meanwhile, officials overseeing the exercise dismissed allegations of irregularities, maintaining that the election was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner across the state.
A member of the primary election committee, Abdulsalam, said observers deployed to various locations confirmed calm participation by party members and described the process as largely smooth.
He also rejected suggestions of external influence in the outcome of the election, insisting that the exercise reflected the genuine choice of delegates and members.
Similarly, the Chairman of the APC Primary Election Monitoring Committee in Oyo State, Chief Ayo Afolabi, commended the conduct of the exercise, describing it as well-organised and peaceful.
Afolabi urged all aspirants and party members to put aside differences and rally behind the party’s candidate, expressing confidence that the APC would emerge stronger and more united ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
0 Comments