File photo: Senator Sharafadeen Alli

Four governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, on Sunday, reconciled with the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Alli, and pledged to work for the party’s victory in the 2027 general elections.

The aspirants are former deputy governor, Rauf Olaniyan, Oyedele Alao (Allow Alao), Musbau Asanike and Dr Ololad Bakare.

The reconciliation followed a series of meetings by the APC governorship aspirants’ reconciliation committee set up to address disagreements arising from the party’s governorship primaries.

Chairman of the committee, Olufemi Lanlehin, announced the development at a press conference held at a Blueline Hotel in the Akinyele Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.

Lanlehin said although some of the 11 aspirants who contested the primaries had reservations about the process and its outcome, the need to build a stronger party ahead of the 2027 election had made reconciliation necessary.

He said, “We listened to their concerns and disappointments and, importantly, found that we have far more that unites us than divides us.

“Today, we are pleased to announce that four distinguished governorship aspirants have agreed to put the contest behind them and work with Senator Sharafadeen Alli in the interest of the party and our victory in the 2027 General Election.”

Lanlehin described the development as a victory for “collective interest over individual ambition, reconciliation over division and unity over factionalism.

“The party could only win the 2027 governorship election through unity. No candidate could rely solely on those who supported him during the primary.

“No candidate can win a general election by relying only on those who supported him in the primary. A governorship election is won by a united political family.”

Meanwhile, in a communique issued after the reconciliation meetings, the aspirants pledged their “unwavering and unflinching support” for President Bola Tinubu, Alli and all other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

They also pledged to cooperate with the party and its campaign structures to ensure victory at the polls.

The committee said the reconciliation process with the APC “G6” governorship aspirants had been concluded, except for Akeem Agbaje.

The aspirants also expressed their desire to meet with the President at his convenience to reaffirm their support for his 2027 presidential bid.