Some prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have endorsed the senator representing Oyo South senatorial district, Sharafadeen Alli, as the party’s preferred governoship candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Mr Alli, who is seeking the APC governorship ticket, was endorsed on Friday, during a high-level leadership summit held in Samonda, Ibadan.

The party leaders at the summit said the endorsement and consensus decision followed a similar pattern in Lagos and Ogun states, aimed at forging internal cohesion within the party.

A former representative of Oyo Central in the Senate, Ayo Adeseun, said that the endorsement was preceded by wide consultations, including with President Bola Tinubu, who also prefers Mr Alli as the governorship candidate.

The former lawmaker noted that he met with Mr Tinubu in Abuja, adding that the President’s preference holds a significant weight that should be respected by party members.

“Mr President remains the leader of our party, and his opinion on who flies the party’s flag must be given due consideration.

“When party members who want to do their aspiration declaration inform us, we often go there. But going forward, you won’t see me in such a gathering. The only person by God’s grace who will fly our party’s flag in the 2027 election and win is Sharafadeen Alli. Our president sent me on this endorsement errand,” the former lawmaker said.

Similarly, an APC chieftain, Fatai Ibikunle, who also supported the consensus endorsement, called on other aspirants within the party to shelve their ambition and rally behind the consensus decision.

He stressed that internal cohesion within the APC would determine the party’s victory in the forthcoming 2027 governorship race.

“Before they called our brother Ayo Adeseun, the president called me, saying Fatai, you are my son in Oyo State, I prefer Chief Sharafadeen Alli and I will support him to victory,” Mr Ibikunle said.

Other notable party leaders in attendance at the event were Akin Olajide, MKO Laoye, Akin Oke and Segun Odebummi, among many others.

Reacting to his endorsement, Mr Alli thanked the party leaders for the trust reposed in him, promising to deliver an all-inclusive governance if given the chance to lead the state.

He also thanked Mr Tinubu for his guidance and leadership oversight within the APC.