Tension is rising within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State after a purported list of “consensus” candidates circulated over the weekend, sparking controversy among party members.
The list allegedly included names for gubernatorial, deputy gubernatorial, senatorial, and House of Representatives candidates. It suggested Senator Sharafadeen Alli, former Oyo State secretary, as the party’s gubernatorial candidate, while Soji Adedeji, younger brother of FIRS Executive Chairman Dr Zacchaeus Adedeji, was listed as deputy gubernatorial candidate.
For the Senate, the list named Aderemi Oseni for Oyo South, Senator Yunus Akintunde for Oyo Central, and Mrs Hannah Ogunrsan, former Head of Service under the late Abiola Ajimobi, for Oyo North.
House of Representatives positions included Faruk Arisekola for Ibadan North, Funke Adesiyan for Ibadan North East/South East, Idris Ajimobi, son of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, for Ibadan North West/South West, and Hon Lafioye Akinmoyede for Akinyele/Lagelu, among others. Several other aspirants were also named for federal constituencies across the state.
However, sources familiar with the matter revealed that many aspirants, who have invested heavily in campaigns, were unhappy with the alleged list. Speaking anonymously, some described it as provocative and tension-inducing within the party.
Responding to the claims, Olawale Sadare, APC’s Oyo State Publicity Secretary, described the list as fake. He confirmed that the party has launched an investigation to identify those responsible for circulating the deceptive document.
“It is fake. The leadership of our great party has launched an investigation into the brains behind the circulation of this fresh list of purported Oyo APC candidates obtained on social media,” Sadare told DAILY POST on Monday. “We can assure our teeming members and supporters that the list is not only fake but also deceptive and provocative. As it stands now, we do not harbor any aspirant or candidate list for 2027 because it is not yet time for expression of interest, nomination, and party primary.”
The controversy highlights growing tensions in Oyo APC as party members await the official processes for the 2027 elections.
