Folarin Backs Alli, Appeals To Aggrieved Oyo APC Members

A Former Oyo State Governorship Candidate and Senator, Teslim Folarin, has declared support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, urging party members aggrieved over the outcome of the governorship primary to close ranks and work for the party’s success in 2027.

Senator Folarin made this known on Monday where he also appealed to aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to put their differences aside as the general elections approach. He also raised Alli’s hand in a show of support at the gathering.

Acknowledging the grievances within the party, Folarin said it was understandable for aspirants who had invested years in pursuing their governorship ambitions to feel disappointed over the outcome of the process.

“I have invested 26 years of my life in becoming governor. If I feel cheated, am I not expected to be angry?” he said, adding that aggrieved members deserved to be heard and appealed to.

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Folarin, however, expressed concern over the pace of reconciliation efforts by the committee led by Professor Taoheed Adedoja and Senator Femi Lanlehin, among others, saying it had achieved only about 20 per cent of its target.

He said the reconciliation process was being slowed by mutual grievances, but added that the approaching election made it necessary for party leaders to resolve their differences and work together.

Folarin disclosed that he had met with former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari and former Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan at Iyaganku, Ibadan, amid efforts to address the crisis.

He urged party members to align with Alli from Monday, stressing that President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of him as coordinator of the Oyo State Presidential Campaign Council required him to work for the success of all APC candidates in the state.

According to him, the party must increase the votes it secured for Tinubu in Oyo State during the 2023 presidential election, while also ensuring that its governorship and legislative candidates emerge victorious in 2027.

Folarin also called for a review of the party’s reward system, insisting that members who worked for its success should benefit from their contributions rather than be overlooked.

He said Alli should work with party leaders to ensure that aggrieved members were accommodated, adding that experienced politicians should not be sidelined in the reconciliation process.

“We won’t allow Alli to rest until all aggrieved members get their own benefits,” Folarin said.

He urged party leaders and supporters to leave the gathering and spread the message that efforts were being made to resolve the crisis, insisting that there was little time left before the elections.