By Maroof Asudemade

The article titled “Oyo 2027: How Oyo APC May Be Scripting Its Own Defeat Months Ahead of the Polls” makes several assertions that require clarification, particularly regarding the status of Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s governorship aspiration and the role allegedly played by the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji.

For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Sharafadeen Alli is the preferred governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State. His emergence is not the product of a clandestine arrangement, a personal project or the imposition of an individual. It is the outcome of consultations and political decisions within the party, and his candidacy enjoys the blessing and support of the President and leader of the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the national leadership of the party.

It is therefore misleading to create the impression that Senator Alli is merely parading himself as an “affirmed candidate” or that his aspiration is being sustained by a handful of national party officials against the wishes of the party. The APC is a political organisation with established structures and leadership. Its decisions are made through political consultations, negotiations and the appropriate party mechanisms.

Equally important is the unnecessary attempt to drag the name of Zacch Adedeji into the matter. Mr. Adedeji is the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service and should not be portrayed as the individual who single-handedly selected or imposed Senator Alli on the Oyo APC. The decision to settle for Senator Sharafadeen Alli was a decision of the party. Reducing it to the project of an individual does a disservice to the collective processes and consultations that produced the current direction of the party.

Political disagreements are normal within any democratic organisation, particularly when several capable aspirants are interested in the same position. What should concern every member of the APC at this point is not who had the strongest aspiration before the decision was reached, but how the party can transform its collective strength into victory at the polls.

It is also important to caution against turning political disagreements into campaigns of personal denigration. Allegations and interpretations surrounding videos or other controversies involving individuals should not become substitutes for serious political engagement. The people of Oyo State deserve a contest based on ideas, programmes, competence, experience and the capacity to provide good governance.

Barrister Akeem Agbaje and the other aspirants who have expressed interest in the governorship are undoubtedly important stakeholders in the Oyo APC family. Their contributions, networks, experience and supporters are valuable assets that the party cannot afford to discard.

This is therefore an appeal to Barrister Akeem Agbaje, his supporters, Engr. Akeem Allow Alao and all other aspirants who contested or aspired to lead the party into the 2027 governorship election: the time has come to put personal ambitions aside and join hands with Senator Sharafadeen Alli and the entire APC family to build a formidable coalition for victory.

The objective should no longer be who becomes the candidate. That question has been settled within the party’s present political arrangement. The greater question is how the APC can defeat the incumbent political structure and return the party to Government House, Ibadan, in 2027.

There is much work to be done. The party must reconcile aggrieved members, strengthen its ward and local government structures, expand its appeal across the three senatorial districts, engage young people and women, reach out to traditional and community stakeholders, and present a compelling alternative to the people of Oyo State.

No aspirant or supporter should feel that supporting the party’s preferred candidate amounts to surrendering his or her political relevance. On the contrary, the strength of a political party lies in its ability to accommodate different interests and ultimately unite behind a common objective.

The APC should therefore resist every attempt to create an impression of an irreparably divided party. The 2027 election is still ahead, and there is sufficient time to reconcile differences and build the broadest possible coalition.

Senator Sharafadeen Alli needs the support of every committed APC member. Barrister Akeem Agbaje, Engr. Akeem Allow Alao and the other aspirants also have important roles to play in the collective project. Their supporters should be encouraged to see themselves first as members of one political family, rather than permanent factions fighting one another. The road to 2027 should consequently be a road to reconciliation, unity and victory.

The APC in Oyo State has an opportunity to present itself as a credible alternative to the electorate. That opportunity must not be sacrificed on the altar of internal disagreements, personal attacks or the politics of bitterness.

Senator Sharafadeen Alli is the party’s preferred choice, and his candidacy has the support of the President and the national leadership of the APC. What is required now is for every stakeholder, aspirant and supporter to rally around the party, strengthen its structures and work together to achieve the ultimate objective: an APC victory in Oyo State in 2027.