The claim by former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, that major political blocs within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State were absent from the growing political movement around Senator Sharafadeen Alli has continued to attract reactions from party stakeholders, many of whom have described the assertion as inaccurate and misleading.
Adelabu, during a recent visit to the APC secretariat in Ibadan, reportedly stated that the Lamists, Ajimobi political family, Akala bloc, Teslim Folarin group, and his own faction constitute about 95 percent of the APC structures in Oyo State, insisting that none of the major tendencies attended the so-called consensus movement for Senator Alli.
However, visible political developments and alignments within the party appear to contradict the former minister’s position.
One of the most notable developments was the presence of Hon. Lamiju Akala, a prominent son of the late former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, who openly accompanied Senator Sharafadeen Alli during the purchase of his gubernatorial nomination form. Political observers view the development as a clear indication that influential figures within the Akala political family are actively identifying with the movement.
In the same vein, Baba Iyiola Oladokun and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, both regarded as respected figures within the political structure of late former Governor Lam Adesina, were visibly present and actively associated with the BSA movement.
Also identified among those supporting Senator Alli are prominent APC stakeholders including Senator Hamzat Ayo Adeseun, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, Hon. Sumbo Olugbemi, Hon Odebunmi Bunvic, former Speaker Rt. Hon. Asimiyu Niran Alarape, Alhaji Karimu Olomi, Baba Dijo Ogundiran, Oloye Sina Alabi, Akogun Akeem, and Alhaji Majeed Adekunle Oloya, many of whom are widely recognised as political associates of the Teslim Folarin tendency within the party.
Further strengthening the movement was the visible participation of key APC leaders from the Oke-Ogun axis, including Alhaji Hammed Ayinla, Chief Sunday Owoade, Pa Egbedokun, and Pa Folaranmi, all of whom reportedly attended both the declaration of intent and the adoption of Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the consensus candidate.
The movement around Senator Sharafadeen Alli has equally continued to gather momentum as elected leaders, members of the National Assembly caucus, and influential party stakeholders across Oyo State openly identify with the growing coalition ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
Among notable figures associated with the movement are Sen Yunus Akintunde, Hon Akin Alabi, Hon Remi Oseni, Hon Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, Hon Akinmoyede Wasiu Lafi and Hon Akeem Adeyemi Skimeh, alongside several other elected officials and party stakeholders who have continued to align with the movement.
Political observers believe the increasing support base around Senator Alli reflects growing acceptance of his aspiration across different political tendencies within the APC, further strengthening perceptions that the movement enjoys broad grassroots and elite backing across the state.
Politics is dynamic, and support within political parties is often driven by individual conviction, consultations, and evolving interests. It is therefore inaccurate to make sweeping claims that entire political blocs rejected or stayed away from a movement when influential personalities from those same blocs actively participated.
More importantly, consensus within a political party is not measured solely by the attendance of a few high-profile leaders, but by the growing acceptance and support across stakeholders, party elders, grassroots mobilisers, youth groups, and loyal party members.
Observers have also questioned Adelabu’s decision to place himself alongside late political heavyweights such as Lam Adesina, Abiola Ajimobi, and Adebayo Alao-Akala, men who built enduring political structures through electoral victories, governance, and years of grassroots leadership.
These leaders earned loyal followership after winning elections and leading the people. Their political families were not self-proclaimed, they were built through performance, sacrifice, and tested political influence across Oyo State.
The question many party faithful are now asking is simple, when exactly did Adelabu become a political leader with an established faction comparable to these political heavyweights?
Leadership in politics is not declared through press statements or public rhetoric. It is earned through electoral success, political consistency, grassroots dominance, and the ability to lead people to victory. Until now, Adelabu has not won a major election that would justify equating his political influence with those who governed Oyo State and built lasting political institutions.
It is therefore politically exaggerated to place himself in the same category as Lam Adesina, Ajimobi, and Akala as though they share the same historical political weight within Oyo APC.
Respect in politics is earned, and enduring political structures are built over time through victories, loyalty, sacrifice, and service to the people, not by mere claims or declarations.
Stakeholders further argued that it is politically misleading for Adelabu to speak as though he commands one of the strongest political structures in Oyo State when he is yet to establish such credentials through the ballot box.
Unlike the late political icons he referenced, Adelabu has not won even a local government chairmanship election, yet seeks to project himself as the leader of one of the dominant blocs within the party.
According to party faithful, political structures are not built on self-acclamation or media narratives. They are earned through victories, grassroots mobilisation, consistency, and proven leadership capacity over time.
Before laying claim to major factions within Oyo APC, many believe the fundamental question remains: What election has Adelabu personally won to validate such sweeping claims of political dominance?
Political analysts insist that influence in politics is measured not by loud rhetoric or public posturing, but by electoral records, loyal grassroots followership, and the consistent ability to deliver victories for one’s party.
Party faithful have therefore called for restraint in public statements capable of deepening internal divisions, stressing the need for inclusiveness, broader consultations, and collective efforts toward repositioning the APC for future electoral success in Oyo State.
