The political landscape in Oyo State has taken another dramatic turn following the emergence of Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The development is being viewed in many political circles as another major setback for former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, whose long-standing ambition to govern Oyo State appears to have suffered yet another blow.
Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate, reportedly maintained a strong lead across several wards and local government areas during the primary process, eventually emerging as the preferred candidate of the APC in the state.
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Political observers noted that one of the most significant aspects of the contest was Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s reported victory in areas believed to be the political stronghold of former House of Representatives member, Kola Olabiyi, a key ally of Adelabu.
Olabiyi was said to have openly mobilised support for Adelabu ahead of the primary. However, reports indicated that Senator Sharafadeen Alli secured victories in Ward 1 and Ward 2 of the Okaka axis in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oke-Ogun, an area many political stakeholders traditionally regarded as Olabiyi’s base.
The outcome has since fueled discussions within the APC over shifting political loyalties and the growing grassroots influence of Senator Sharafadeen Alli across Oyo State.
Although the APC has yet to officially release detailed figures from the primary election, there is broad consensus among party stakeholders that Sharafadeen Alli totally defeated Adelabu in the contest.
Earlier reports claiming that Sharafadeen Alli polled 578,143 votes against Fatai Buhari’s 37,265 votes and Adelabu’s 19,193 votes have, however, been disputed by some party members who argued that the APC’s total registered membership in Oyo State is below 200,000.
Irrespective of the controversies surrounding the figures, the primary outcome has reignited public attention on earlier prophecies made by Prophet Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church.
Ayodele had previously prophesied that Adelabu would struggle to emerge governor of Oyo State despite his political efforts and ambition.
According to the cleric, Adelabu had once approached him regarding his governorship ambition and expressed determination to become governor of the state.
Ayodele subsequently stated that Adelabu lacked the spiritual backing required to win the governorship position, adding that certain spiritual interventions would be necessary.
The prophecy later became controversial after reports emerged of an extortion petition allegedly filed with the Department of State Services (DSS), a development that sparked widespread debate about the cleric’s comments and the circumstances surrounding the prophecy.
Reacting during an earlier interview with The Octopus News, Ayodele defended his statements, insisting that he only delivers prophecies as revealed to him by God.
“I am not doing prophecies to impress anyone,” Ayodele had stated.
“Take it or leave it.”
With Senator Alli now the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, supporters of the cleric believe the latest political developments have strengthened the credibility of Ayodele’s earlier prediction regarding Adelabu’s governorship ambition.
Lukmon Akintola, a journalist writes from Lagos State.
