…Party Moves to Avoid Repeat of Zamfara Court Nullification — Source
The aspiration of Senator Sharafadeen Alli, representing Oyo South Senatorial District, to emerge as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Oyo State may be facing serious challenges following concerns over legal disputes and political considerations within the party.
According to an insider (who prefers to be anonymous) familiar with deliberations among top APC stakeholders, Senator Alli’s name is raising dust among the list of governorship aspirants being considered by the party’s national leadership and the Presidency ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The source disclosed that the issue topped a high-level secret meeting where stakeholders reviewed the electoral implications of potential aspirants and assessed the party’s chances of reclaiming Oyo State from the opposition.
According to the insider, discussions centered on what participants described as the possible negative political consequences of fielding Alli as the party’s flagbearer.
The stakeholders reportedly concluded that the APC cannot afford to remain in opposition in Oyo State beyond 2027 and that Alli’s candidacy could jeopardize the party’s chances due to unresolved internal disputes and possible external legal challenges that may emanate if Sharafadeen Alli became the party’s flag bearer.
“Stakeholders warned against fielding Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s candidate. Alli was not among the names eventually mentioned to the President,” the source revealed.
The insider further claimed that party leaders were presented with details of multiple petitions and legal actions allegedly instituted against the senator by interests within and outside the APC, with fears that some of the cases could become major obstacles if he eventually emerges as the party’s candidate.
According to the source, national party leaders and officials within the Presidency are particularly concerned about avoiding a repeat of the Zamfara experience, where pre-election litigations ultimately led to the nullification of electoral victories.
“We were told that there are several petitions against him within and outside the party, and their outcomes may not favour him if subjected to judicial scrutiny,” the source stated.
The insider also disclosed that legal threats may not be limited to party members alone. According to him, some governorship aspirants who previously contested alongside Alli could challenge his emergence in court if he secures the APC ticket.
In addition, the source claimed that traditional institutions in Ibadan may also raise legal objections concerning Alli’s status as an Ibadan traditional title holder of very high hierarchy.
“Nothing less than five Ibadan traditional rulers may approach the court to challenge his candidacy while simultaneously holding an Ibadan traditional title,” the source alleged.
Beyond the legal concerns, the insider claimed that Alli’s very poor performance as a serving senator representing Oyo South may also count against him in the calculations of party leaders ahead of the 2027 election. Investigation revealed that Alli is categorised among the least performing senators, not only in Oyo State but throughout the South west Nigeria.
According to the source, some stakeholders reportedly expressed reservations about his performance in office and questioned whether his record would be sufficient to justify his emergence as the APC governorship candidate.
The insider further stated that many party leaders believe the Oyo APC currently has other aspirants who are more credible, experienced, qualified, and popular across the state, making the contest for the party’s ticket increasingly difficult for Alli.
“There are credible and widely accepted aspirants within the APC who many stakeholders believe possess stronger political structures, broader acceptability with zero legal encumbrances like Alli,” the source said.
To avoid a repeat of Zamfara’s 2019 scenario, the source hinted that stakeholders insisted that the APC must settle for a candidate with no legal encumbrances and sufficient electoral strength to return the party to power in Oyo State in 2027.
