Sen. Sarafadeen Alli has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Oyo State, securing a landslide victory with 578,143 votes in the state-wide primary election.
Alli defeated his closest rivals by a wide margin; Senator Abdulfatai Buhari polled 37,265 votes, while the former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, garnered 19,193 votes.
The outcome triggered widespread celebrations among party loyalists.
Reacting to the development, prominent Ibadan businessman and Okanlomo Oodua, Chief Dotun Sanusi, described the victory as a clear endorsement of Alli’s leadership qualities and strategic vision for the state.
In his congratulatory message, Sanusi commended APC members, market associations, and political stakeholders for their resilience, framing the result as a major milestone for progressive forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the exercise was not entirely without friction, as Adelabu subsequently alleged widespread irregularities in several parts of the state.
Speaking with journalists shortly after casting his vote at Ward 9 in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, Adelabu had maintained that the process in his ward was orderly, peaceful and transparent, adding that he received massive support from party members there.
According to him, more than 430 out of about 437 registered members voted in his favour in the ward.
While expressing satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise in his immediate constituency, the former CBN Deputy Governor alleged that reports from other parts of Oyo State pointed to incidents of intimidation, manipulation and electoral misconduct.
Adelabu claimed that voting allegedly commenced ahead of schedule in some wards, while party members in certain areas were prevented from participating through threats and violence.
He disclosed that formal petitions documenting the alleged irregularities would be submitted to the appropriate party authorities.
The complaints are expected to cover grievances originating from the Ibadan, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomosho, Ibarapa, and Oyo zones.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the APC Primary Election Monitoring Committee in Oyo State, Chief Ayo Afolabi, commended party members for their peaceful conduct and impressive turnout during the exercise.
Afolabi urged aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders to put the primary behind them and unite behind the victorious candidate, expressing confidence that a cohesive front would ensure a stronger APC ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
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