‘I Can’t Win Alone’, Oyo APC Guber Candidate Begs Former Rivals
Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has appealed to members of the party not to regard aspirants who contested the governorship ticket against him as opponents, but as brothers and critical stakeholders whose support would be vital to the party’s victory in the 2027 general elections.
Alli made the appeal on Friday during the formal unveiling of 50 APC candidates at the party’s secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, where he was presented as the party’s governorship candidate alongside his running mate, Hon. Soji Adedeji.
Speaking against the backdrop of the governorship primary, Alli reached out to those who contested the ticket with him, urging them to put the contest behind them and join hands with him and other stakeholders to prosecute the party’s campaign.
“Those who contested the governorship ticket alongside me should not be regarded as opponents but as brothers and critical stakeholders in the collective struggle for the party’s victory,” Alli said.
The senator, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, stressed that the APC could only achieve its objective in 2027 if it was able to resolve its internal differences and mobilise as one political family.
He warned that lingering disagreements arising from the governorship primary could weaken the party ahead of the general elections, insisting that unity must take precedence over individual ambitions.
According to him, “A united APC would present a stronger front and improve the party’s chances of electoral victory across Oyo State.”
Alli therefore urged the aspirants who contested against him to support the party’s ticket, saying their experience, influence and political structures remained important to the APC’s collective ambition.
He said, “We must put the primary election behind us. What is before us now is bigger than the primary. It is the task of winning the election and moving Oyo State forward.”
The APC candidate added that the party must avoid allowing the outcome of its internal contest to create divisions that could jeopardise its chances at the general election.
“I appeal to all our brothers and sisters who participated in the primary to come together with us. Nobody should feel excluded. We need everybody because victory cannot be achieved by one person alone,” he said.
Alli, who expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the APC leadership and members for entrusting him with the governorship ticket, said he was prepared to work with all stakeholders irrespective of their positions during the primary.
He also promised an inclusive administration if elected, identifying education, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure as key areas of focus.
“All parts of Oyo State will receive attention under our administration. We will run an inclusive government and concentrate on sectors that directly affect the lives and economic wellbeing of our people,” he said.
The unveiling ceremony also featured the presentation of APC candidates for the three senatorial districts.
Senator Yunus Abiodun Akintunde will contest in Oyo Central, Mrs Hannah Olawumi Ogunsean in Oyo North, while Hon. Engr. Aderemi Abasi Oseni will contest in Oyo South.
The party unveiled candidates for all 14 House of Representatives constituencies and all 32 Oyo State House of Assembly constituencies, signalling its intention to mount a statewide electoral challenge in 2027.
Earlier, the state APC chairman, Chief Adeyemo Alake, urged party leaders, stakeholders and members to close ranks and support the candidates unveiled at the ceremony.
Alake said the candidates had been affirmed as the party’s flag bearers for the forthcoming elections and called on members to commit themselves to the mobilisation effort ahead of the polls.
The event was attended by party leaders and stakeholders, including Alli’s running mate, Soji Adedeji; former Deputy Governor, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; wife of the late former governor, Mrs Oluwakemi Alao-Akala; former Oyo North Senator, Senator Hosea Ayoola Alleluya; members of the state executive; party chairmen from the 33 local government areas; and other APC leaders, members and supporters.
