A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, is set to formally declare his ambition on Friday, April 17, ahead of the 2027 election.

Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, will flag off his campaign at the Yemetu Police Barracks Playing Field in Ibadan.

The lawmaker had earlier met with the Ward 03 executive committee of the APC in Ibadan North Local Government Area, where he formally notified party leaders of his intention to contest.

Speaking during the meeting, Alli said his ambition is driven by a desire to provide “purposeful leadership” and a renewed development agenda for the state.

He reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC, describing the party as a viable platform for progressive governance, while also calling for unity among members as political consultations intensify.

Sources within the party said the aspirant has begun wider stakeholder engagements across the state, including visits to Oyo and Ogbomoso zones, where he met with traditional rulers such as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, as well as party leaders.

Alli is also reported to have held meetings with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos, alongside other APC stakeholders.

In a related development, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin, also recently met with the President, while consultations continue among key figures, including associates of the late former governor, Abiola Ajimobi.

Party insiders say efforts are ongoing to harmonise interests among aspirants, with a prior meeting reportedly yielding an agreement to support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate.

Despite speculations that the APC may lean towards Alli, the party leadership in the state has maintained that no consensus candidate has been officially adopted.