APC governorship hopeful Sharafadeen Alli reports alleged attack on party members in Ibadan, blames APM

Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 Oyo State governorship, issued a statement on Thursday alleging that two of his party’s members were assaulted in Ibadan. The victims, identified as Abiola Abulesowo and Abanise Olanrewaju, were reportedly attacked at the Ibadan North Local Government Secretariat on Wednesday. Alli’s campaign director, Bisi Oladele, signed the statement that was supplied to the Daily Post.

Alli claimed the assailants were hoodlums linked to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), a rival party contesting the same governorship race. He said the incident was part of a pattern of attacks by APM supporters on APC members in Oyo State over recent weeks. In response, Alli appealed directly to the APM governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, urging him to caution his supporters against further violence.

Background

The Oyo State governorship election, scheduled for 2027, pits the APC against several parties, including the APM. Senator Sharafadeen Alli currently represents the Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate under the APC banner. The APM, led by Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi in the state, has been active in campaigning across Oyo, with tensions reportedly rising between the two parties in recent weeks. The alleged attack occurred at the Ibadan North Local Government Secretariat, a venue often used for political meetings and constituency activities.

Why it matters

The alleged assault highlights escalating political tension ahead of the 2027 elections in Oyo State. If the accusations are accurate, the incident could exacerbate partisan hostility and potentially deter party members from engaging in grassroots activities. The APC’s call for the APM candidate to intervene suggests concerns about maintaining public order and protecting party operatives. The two victims, Abulesowo and Olanrewaju, are ordinary party members whose safety may influence broader perceptions of the electoral environment.

What happens next

Alli’s statement does not specify any formal police investigation or legal action, but the public accusation against the APM may prompt responses from the rival party or law‑enforcement agencies. The APC has called for the APM candidate to warn his supporters, indicating that further dialogue between the parties could be forthcoming. The incident is likely to be referenced in the lead‑up to the 2027 governorship campaign, potentially shaping voter sentiment and party strategies.