OYO APC ASPIRANT REJECTS DEFECTION, CALLS FOR HEALING AFTER PRIMARY DISPUTE

An aspirant for the Oyo Central Senatorial District ticket of the All Progressives Congress, Ademola Alli, has reaffirmed his loyalty to the party despite expressing dissatisfaction with the outcome of the recently concluded senatorial primary.

Alli, in a statement titled “Supporting Unity, Seeking Restitution: Standing With Our Party, Standing For Our Principles,” issued in Ibadan on Friday, said he had no intention of leaving the APC or engaging in any activity that could undermine the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former aspirant said his decision followed consultations with party leaders, stakeholders, supporters and loyalists over the way forward after the primary.

He explained that while many of his supporters believed the outcome of the exercise did not adequately reflect their choices, he remained committed to resolving the disagreement through dialogue and reconciliation.

Alli stressed that his loyalty to the APC did not mean he would remain silent about concerns raised by party members. He argued that genuine reconciliation should involve listening to aggrieved members, acknowledging legitimate concerns, rebuilding damaged relationships and restoring confidence within the party.

According to him, he deliberately remained neutral during the APC governorship primary because his attention was focused on securing the Oyo Central senatorial ticket.

He also disclosed that he met with the party’s reconciliation committee on Wednesday, August 26, where he presented his concerns over the conduct and outcome of the senatorial primary while reaffirming his commitment to the party.

Alli urged his supporters to remain calm and disciplined, warning them against allowing disappointment over the primary to develop into hatred, division or actions that could damage the party.

He made it clear that he would neither defect from the APC nor encourage his supporters and associates to engage in anti-party activities or work against the party’s candidates.

The aspirant also congratulated Senator Sharafadeen Alli on his emergence as the APC’s governorship candidate in Oyo State, describing their relationship as one that extends beyond politics.

He urged the governorship candidate to use his victory as an opportunity to bring together party members, including other aspirants and their supporters who may feel disappointed or excluded following the primaries.

Alli said the internal contests were now over and that the party should shift its attention towards strengthening unity and preparing for the 2027 elections.

He further emphasised the importance of grassroots members, describing them as the foundation of the APC and stressing that their confidence and trust would be essential to the party’s electoral success.

Although his ambition to represent Oyo Central in the Senate ended with the primary, Alli said his commitment to the people of the district and the state remained unchanged.

He maintained that the party could achieve unity without suppressing genuine grievances, calling for reconciliation that addresses the concerns of members rather than simply asking them to move on.

The development comes as political parties across Oyo State continue to consolidate their structures ahead of the 2027 elections, with internal reconciliation expected to play a major role in determining their ability to mobilise supporters for the general election.