Exclusive: How Adelabu Lost Oyo APC Guber Ticket To Sharafadeen Alli

Senator Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, the incumbent Oyo South lawmaker, has decisively clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Oyo State.

He defeated the immediate past Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, and nine other aspirants in a recent primary election.

Alli's triumph was not merely a win but a resounding endorsement, signalling a shift in the party's internal dynamics.

For political pundits and seasoned party loyalists, however, Alli's victory was the culmination of long-laid groundwork and a testament to his enduring political capital.

While the outcome sent ripples of surprise through some quarters, it merely confirmed what many astute observers had quietly anticipated.

Those who could read between the lines had already seen it coming.

The initial push for a consensus candidate, reportedly favoring Alli, ultimately gave way to a direct primary, a process many believed would level the playing field but seemingly only amplified Alli's existing advantages.

The primary race featured a formidable lineup of aspirants, including Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Barr. Akeem Agbaje, Dr. Adewale Kareem, Engineer Akeem Alao, Dr. Ayobami Lam-Adesina, Prince Musbau Asatola, Mr. Ololade Usman, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, and former Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan.

However, the contest largely centered on the rivalry between Alli and Adelabu.

Following the results, Adelabu has alleged irregularities in the process and vowed to petition the national leadership of the party.

This move comes amidst swirling speculation that the party's leadership in Oyo State had long settled on a preferred candidate.

Some political analysts even opined that Adelabu's late resignation as power minister and subsequent official declaration were acts of defiance against an already established internal decision.

In fact, a party chieftain who spoke to this reporter under the condition of anonymity, noted that Adelabu’s defeat had to do with many factors.

He specifically cited the former CBN deputy governor's past actions as critical factors that blocked his chances of clinching the governorship ticket.

The analysis was primarily centered around Adelabu's post-2019 election conduct.

His attitude and reactions after losing the 2019 gubernatorial election as the party’s candidate, including the forceful recovery of campaign vehicles from party chieftains like local government chairmen, and alienated key party stakeholders.

Adelabu was perceived to have abandoned the party immediately after the 2019 loss, only to resurface for the 2023 primary.

Also, his decision to leave the APC after losing the 2023 primary and contest under the Accord banner created a perception of disloyalty and opportunism among party members.

All of these, coupled with recorded interviews condemning the APC, significantly damaged his standing within the party when he later rejoined after the announcement of his ministerial nomination.

That also explained why a majority of the stakeholders in the state frowned at his appointment as Minister of Power, despite having actively worked against the party in the previous election.

The appointment was viewed by many as an undeserved reward that further fuelled resentment within the party.

Other contributing factors cited include perceived arrogance, an unrepentant miserly nature, and a lack of diplomatic engagement with party members and leaders.

In contrast, Senator Alli's success is attributed to a combination of personal attributes and strategic advantages.

One of Alli’s strengths said to have really paved the way for his victory was humility.

His humble demeanour resonated positively with party members and the electorate.

Political watchers in the state also believed that Alli's long-standing political career and wealth of experience provided him with a strong foundation of credibility and trust.

He is also believed to enjoy significant backing from major traditional rulers and influential opinion leaders across the state, indicating broad-based support.

Alli's ability to garner support beyond traditional party lines demonstrated his wider acceptability and potential to unite diverse political interests.

While Adelabu contests the outcome, the APC in Oyo State now looks to Senator Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli to lead its charge in the upcoming gubernatorial election, banking on his strong grassroots support and perceived inclusive approach to consolidate their position.

There are other analyses some believe contributed to why Adelabu lost out to Sharafadeen Alli in the Oyo APC primaries.

“Adelabu lost because of delegate math and party structure, not because of votes at the ward level,” observed another political analyst.

According to them, Alli had the delegate structure.

Alli is a former SSG and Chief of Staff to ex-Gov Rashidi Ladoja.

That matters because Oyo primaries are decided by delegates from the 3 senatorial zones. Some say Adelabu's base was narrow:

Adelabu said he got 430 of 437 votes in his own ward 9, Ibadan South-East. But that didn't translate statewide.

He's seen as an Ibadan technocrat without the same ward-level delegate control as Alli. Then there is APC's national strategy.

After the governorship primary, Adelabu raised

concerns over alleged irregularities. But he also said voting in his ward was "peaceful, transparent and credible".

Many believe Alli won because he had the delegate network and zone backing that Adelabu didn't.

Adelabu had name recognition and ministerial profile, but in Oyo APC primaries the ward executives and local party chairmen decide. Alli controlled more of them.

Didn't Adelabu see this happening weeks back?

He saw it coming. And he said so publicly about 3 weeks before the primary. Adelabu said so August 2026.

About 3 weeks to the Oyo APC guber primary, Adelabu told reporters in Ibadan that "a script is already being written" to hand the ticket to another aspirant.

He accused some party leaders of trying to impose candidate and shut others out.

He didn't name names directly, but it was clear he was talking about the push behind Sharafadeen Alli. He said the process was being skewed and that delegates were being "pre-determined".

What did he do about it? He didn't walk away. He stayed in the race, campaigned, and even said voting in his own ward was "peaceful, transparent and credible". 

But statewide, the delegate math was already against him. So, Adelabu saw the signs early-the zone
endorsement, the delegate mobilization, the silence from Abuja.

But in Oyo APC, once the delegate structure swings, it's hard to reverse 3 weeks out. He stayed in to keep his base intact for whatever comes next.

Why did Oyo APC Elders pick Sharafadeen Alli?

For 3 main reasons: Tinubu's backing, grassroots structure, and "electability" vs Adelabu.

Here's the breakdown from what the elders and party leaders said:
(1) Tinubu's preference carried the weight.
This was the biggest factor. At the Samonda leadership
Summit in Ibadan, Senator Ayo Adeseun and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle said they met with
President Tinubu in Abuja.

Adeseun said, "Mr. President remains the leader of our party, and his opinion on who flies the party's flag must be given due consideration".

"Before they called our brother Ayo Adeseun, the president called me...I prefer Chief Sharafadeen Alli and I will support him to victory", Ibikunle clearly noted in his own remarks.

Tinubu's camp wanted a consensus candidate to avoid the messy primary fight that cost APC Osun and Kano in 2023. Alli got the nod.

(2) Grassroots structure and "bridge-builder" image.

The Ibarapa zone elders who first endorsed him said: "Alli's track record in public service, coupled with his deep connection with the grassroots, made him the most suitable person to lead the party to victory in 2027."

They described him as a "bridge-builder who has consistently demonstrated loyalty to the APC and contributed significantly to strengthening the party structure across Oyo State".

That matters in delegate primaries.

3. Zone balancing and APC's Lagos/Ogun template.

Oyo APC leaders said they were copying the consensus approach used in Lagos and Ogun.

What Adelabu lacked in their eyes?

Adelabu was seen as:
- Strong in Ibadan North, but weak in delegate control outside his ward.
- A Technocrat with less history of building the party structure since 2019.
- A risk of splitting the party if imposed without delegate buy-in.

The elders quote sums it up: they wanted a "credible and experienced candidate" with "widespread acceptability". They decided that was Alli.

Once Tinubu signaled his preference for Alli, the elders fell in line to avoid being on the wrong side.

What role did Oba Ladoja play in Alli's emergence?

Oba Rashidi Ladoja played a quiet but decisive role. He gave Alli political legitimacy and
opened doors with APC elders.

Here's how it played out:
Sharafadeen Alli was Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government under Ladoja when he was governor between 2003-2007.

Alli still refers to him as "our father, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, now Olubadan of Ibadanland".

That relationship matters in Oyo politics. Ladoja is now Olubadan, the highest traditional ruler in Ibadan, and still commands loyalty among Ibadan APC/PDP elders.

Senator Alli was endorsed by Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the
Olubadan of Ibadan, who is a former governor of the state.

That endorsement signaled to Ibadan and Ibarapa elders that Alli had the backing of the traditional establishment.

In Oyo, when the Olubadan backs a candidate, other traditional rulers and party elders tend to fall in line. Ladoja didn't publicly campaign or mobilize delegates directly.

His role was more about legitimacy and signaling. The heavy lifting with APC elders and Tinubu was done by Alli himself and leaders like Ayo Adeseun and Fatai Ibikunle.

Ladoja gave Alli the traditional and political cover he needed to be seen as a consensus candidate.

Without that, it would have been harder for APC elders to sell Alli over Adelabu, who also has Ibadan roots.

The political math is that Tinubu needs Ladoja's goodwill in Ibadan for 2027.

Ibadan comprises 4 of Oyo's 5 LGAs with the highest voting population. If Ladoja is cool with Alli, it reduces resistance in Ibadan APC and makes it harder for PDP to use the "Tinubu vs Ibadan" narrative.

So when you hear "Tinubu endorsed Alli”, part of that deal was Ladoja being on board.

Credit: City People