Former Oyo State governorship candidate and Senator, Teslim Folarin, has formally declared his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, urging aggrieved party members and supporters of other aspirants to put their differences aside and unite behind the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Folarin made the declaration on Monday during a political gathering where he publicly raised Alli’s hand in a symbolic demonstration of solidarity, signalling his readiness to work with the party’s governorship candidate and other stakeholders to strengthen the APC’s electoral prospects in the state.
The former senator acknowledged the lingering grievances arising from the party’s governorship primary, noting that the disappointment experienced by aspirants who had invested considerable time, resources and political capital in pursuing their ambitions was understandable. He, however, maintained that the prevailing circumstances required dialogue, understanding and a collective commitment to the party’s future.
Reflecting on his own political journey, Folarin emphasised that the frustration associated with an unsuccessful governorship ambition should not be dismissed, particularly when aspirants have spent several years building political structures and mobilising supporters. He illustrated his point by recalling his own 26-year pursuit of the governorship ambition.
“I have invested 26 years of my life in becoming governor. If I feel cheated, am I not expected to be angry?” he asked, stressing that aggrieved members deserved to be listened to and genuinely appealed to as part of efforts to restore confidence and unity within the party.
Despite acknowledging the depth of the internal disagreements, Folarin expressed concern over the pace of the reconciliation initiative being spearheaded by a committee comprising Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Senator Femi Lanlehin and other party stakeholders. According to him, the committee had achieved only about 20 per cent of its target, an indication, he suggested, of the considerable work still required to resolve the crisis.
He attributed the slow progress partly to mutual grievances among party leaders and supporters, warning that continued divisions could undermine the APC’s preparedness for the forthcoming elections. He therefore urged those involved in the reconciliation process to demonstrate greater urgency, emphasising that political differences should not be allowed to overshadow the party’s collective ambition.
As part of the efforts to address the situation, Folarin disclosed that he had held discussions with former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; Senator Abdulfatai Buhari; and former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan, at Iyaganku, Ibadan. The meeting, he indicated, formed part of broader consultations aimed at finding common ground among influential party figures and addressing the disagreements threatening internal cohesion.
Folarin subsequently called on APC members to align with Alli’s candidacy, urging them to begin working together from Monday rather than allow unresolved disputes to weaken the party’s political machinery. He also linked his commitment to the reconciliation process to his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as coordinator of the Oyo State Presidential Campaign Council, explaining that the responsibility required him to work towards the success of all APC candidates in the state.
He maintained that the party must improve on the votes it secured for Tinubu in Oyo State during the 2023 presidential election while simultaneously building a formidable electoral coalition capable of delivering victory for its governorship and legislative candidates in 2027.
Beyond the immediate question of political unity, Folarin called for a review of the APC’s reward system, arguing that members who had contributed to the party’s growth and electoral campaigns should not be neglected when opportunities for recognition and political participation arose. He urged Alli to work closely with party leaders to ensure that the concerns of aggrieved members were addressed and that experienced political stakeholders were not excluded from the reconciliation process.
“We won’t allow Alli to rest until all aggrieved members get their own benefits,” Folarin declared, underscoring the importance of addressing legitimate grievances as a means of securing lasting unity rather than relying solely on appeals for loyalty.
He further urged party leaders, stakeholders and supporters to take the reconciliation message to their respective political constituencies, assuring members that efforts were being made to resolve the disagreements. He stressed that the limited time remaining before the elections made it imperative for all sides to engage constructively and reach a workable understanding.
Folarin’s declaration of support for Alli represents a significant development in the APC’s efforts to consolidate its political structures in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections. However, the durability of the emerging alliance will depend largely on the party’s ability to translate reconciliation appeals into practical measures that address the concerns of aggrieved aspirants, their supporters and other critical stakeholders.
With the governorship contest approaching, the challenge before the APC leadership is to transform the current push for unity into a coordinated political strategy that strengthens internal confidence, promotes cooperation among competing blocs and positions the party for a competitive electoral outing in Oyo State.
