A new dispute has emerged within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress after six of the party’s eleven governorship aspirants rejected the emergence of Senator Sharafadeen Alli as its candidate for the 2027 election.

The dissenting aspirants argued that the party has not lawfully produced a governorship candidate, claiming the process that led to Alli’s selection did not comply with the Electoral Act or the party’s internal procedures.

Those rejecting the outcome are Hakeem Alao, Rauf Olaniyan, Ayobami Lam Adesina, Akeem Agbaje, Ololade Bakare and Musibau Asanike. They spoke after meeting with the party’s reconciliation committee, led by Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Professor Taoheed Adedoja, which was set up to resolve grievances from the governorship selection process.

Speaking for the group, Hakeem Alao said that despite claims that the party has settled on a candidate, the APC has yet to fulfill the legal and procedural requirements needed to produce a valid flag bearer. He said the group had presented its concerns to the reconciliation committee and would await its findings, while affirming that all involved remain part of the same political family and expressing hope that the party would ultimately produce a candidate through a lawful process.

Alao said the group would support whoever emerges through a transparent and lawful process, but maintained that, as things stand, the party does not currently have a validly recognized governorship candidate in Oyo State.

A total of eleven aspirants took part in the APC governorship contest, including Adebayo Adelabu, Adewale Kareem, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Akeem Agbaje, Hakeem Alao, Rauf Olaniyan, Ayobami Lam Adesina, Musibau Asanike, Abdulfatai Buhari, Ololade Bakare and Sharafadeen Alli.

Although the party recently announced Alli as its preferred candidate, the objections from the six aspirants are likely to intensify internal talks as the APC works to reconcile aggrieved members and present a united front ahead of the 2027 general election.