The 2027 Oyo State governorship race has received another significant religious and political endorsement following the declaration of support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, by the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dahud Makanjuola Akinola.
Akinola openly aligned himself with the growing agitation for a Muslim governor in Oyo State in 2027, insisting that the governorship ticket should be entrusted to a popular Muslim candidate in accordance with an understanding reportedly reached between Christian and Muslim leaders before the 2023 governorship election.
The prominent Muslim leader made the declaration on Thursday during a special empowerment programme hosted by the Asiwaju Musulumi of Oyo State, Alhaji Mutiu Oladejo Azeez Onimalu, at his residence in Egbeda, Ibadan.
Recounting the circumstances surrounding the reported understanding, Akinola said Muslim and Christian leaders had supported Governor Seyi Makinde’s second-term ambition in 2023 based on an arrangement that a popular Muslim candidate, acceptable to both religious communities, would be supported to succeed him in 2027.
He argued that Senator Alli’s emergence as the APC governorship candidate provided an opportunity to actualise that understanding, describing the development as divinely ordained and expressing confidence that the senator enjoys considerable goodwill among Muslims and Christians across the state.
Akinola urged residents to demonstrate political maturity by supporting Alli, stressing that agreements reached among religious stakeholders should not be treated casually. He expressed optimism that those who participated in the reported arrangement would remain committed to its terms.
Beyond the political declaration, the Aare Musulumi applauded Onimalu for his sustained contributions to Islamic development and humanitarian intervention, describing his commitment to philanthropy and community welfare as an example worthy of emulation.
In his remarks, Onimalu unveiled his foundation’s ambition to empower no fewer than 10,000 people, particularly unemployed graduates, widows and other vulnerable groups struggling with the prevailing economic realities.
He explained that the empowerment initiative was conceived as a practical response to economic hardship, with the objective of providing beneficiaries with the means to become self-reliant, establish sustainable livelihoods and overcome excessive dependence on family members and friends.
The Asiwaju Musulumi equally threw his weight behind Alli’s governorship aspiration, expressing confidence in the APC candidate’s chances in 2027. He insisted that the reported political understanding between Christian and Muslim leaders remained binding and appealed to CAN and other Christian organisations said to have participated in the agreement to stand by their commitment.
Onimalu consequently called on the people of Oyo State to unite behind Alli and support his emergence as governor in the February 2027 election.
