Sharafadeen Alli on Thursday formally received the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, nomination form as the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate for the 2027 general election in Oyo State.

At the event, the senator also unveiled Michael Adedeji as his running mate for the election.

Adedeji, 46, is an Economics graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University and hails from Iwo-Ate in Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Oyo State APC Chairman and former deputy governor, Moses Alake Adeyemo, called on party members to remain united and work collectively toward reclaiming power in the 2027 governorship election.

Adeyemo stressed that the APC stood a better chance of advancing the state’s development while in government and appealed to aggrieved members to put aside their differences in the interest of the party.

“By the grace of God, come May 29, 2027, our governor and deputy governor will be Senator Sharafadeen Alli and Adesoji Adedeji. I plead with us in the name of the Lord to come together,” he said.

Presenting the INEC nomination form to Alli, the APC Deputy National Auditor, Gbenga Olayemi, described the governorship candidate as a symbol of the party’s collective aspiration rather than an individual contestant.

“You will recall that I presented the nomination forms to National Assembly candidates on Monday. Senator Alli is not just our governorship candidate; he is our flag bearer. Every APC member in Oyo State is a governorship candidate,” Olayemi stated.

In his acceptance speech, Alli described his emergence as the APC candidate as a shared victory for all members of the party and pledged to govern with fairness, accountability and inclusiveness if elected.

He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee, party leaders in Oyo State, security agencies and party faithful for their support throughout the primary process.

The senator also acknowledged the contributions of other aspirants and appealed to them and their supporters to rally behind the APC ahead of the governorship poll.

According to him, the mission of reclaiming Oyo State requires unity, sacrifice and collective commitment from all party members.

“Our people are yearning for leadership that listens, unites and understands their pains. They deserve a government that works for everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, social class or geopolitical zone,” Alli said.

He outlined plans to prioritise agriculture, youth empowerment, education, healthcare, infrastructure development, environmental protection and inclusive economic growth if elected governor.

Alli further pledged to align his administration with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu through policies anchored on justice, fairness, accountability and service delivery.

“I will remain accessible, accountable and a good listener. I will never take the trust of the people for granted. Let us reject division, embrace unity and work together to restore the true Pacesetter glory of Oyo State,” he added.

In his remarks, Adedeji thanked the APC leadership for the confidence reposed in him and expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the 2027 governorship election.

The event was attended by members of the APC State Working Committee led by Adeyemo, National Assembly and State Assembly candidates, party leaders and stakeholders, including Ayo Adeseun, Hosea Agboola, Femi Lanlehin, Fatai Ibikunle, Timothy Jolaoso and Olayide Abbas, among others.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has described as an end to judicial manipulation the judgment affirming former Senate President, David Mark, as the duly leader of the party.

This is contained in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Thursday.

The ADC said the judgment affirmed its clear position that the issue of leadership remains an internal affair of the party and is therefore not justiciable, especially in light of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Abdullahi added that the emergence of the current leadership led by David Mark, was carried out in accordance with the law and constitution of the ADC.

According to him, at a time when millions of Nigerians are confronted daily with worsening insecurity, an unbearable cost of living, rising unemployment and declining economic opportunities, their responsibility as a serious opposition party is to present practical solutions as alternatives to the people.

“While we view the ruling as yet another victory for multiparty democracy in Nigeria, it is their hope that this judgment will help bring to an end all the unnecessary distractions and attempts at judicial manipulation by those who are hell-bent on destabilising the opposition and foisting a one-party rule on the country.

“Even as we celebrate this victory in court, we remain vigilant, convinced that anti-democratic forces remain active and motivated to continue to pursue their inglorious agenda against the Nigerian people.

“We commend the courage shown by the presiding judge in standing firmly on the side of justice. We commend, especially, the Judge’s decision to award fines against the Plaintiff and his lawyers, hoping that this measure will serve as a deterrent to those who may want to pursue such frivolous actions in the future,” the statement read in part.

DAILY POST reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday affirmed David Mark leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has said that with the Abuja Federal High Court affirming former Senate President David Mark’s leadership of the party, the journey to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election has begun.

DAILY POST reports that an Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Liman, struck out the suit challenging the leadership of the ADC under David Mark.

Reacting in a statement by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku stressed that the judgement is a victory not merely for the party but for constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

He noted that the court’s decision reaffirmed the settled legal principle that political parties are governed by their constitutions and that internal disputes must first be resolved through the mechanisms provided therein.

“The journey to reclaim Nigeria continues, and no amount of political intimidation, sponsored litigation, or abuse of state power will derail the democratic aspirations of the Nigerian people.

“The court could not have been clearer. It rightly held that the matter borders on the internal affairs of the ADC, that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction, and that the plaintiffs neither exhausted the internal remedies provided by the party’s constitution nor established the locus standi required to invoke the jurisdiction of the court.

“We commend Justice Liman for refusing to allow the judiciary to be converted into an extension of partisan political warfare.

“There is an African proverb which says that ‘no matter how long the night lasts, the day must surely break.’ Today’s ruling is another reminder that while political desperation may cast temporary shadows over our democracy, truth and justice will ultimately prevail.

“We are particularly encouraged because this judgement comes at a time when certain desperate elements operating from the corridors of power have sought, through every conceivable means, to destabilise the opposition and frustrate the growing aspirations of millions of Nigerians who desire democratic change.

“From failed attempts to deregister political parties, to the sponsorship of proxy litigations, to the manipulation of institutions, Nigerians have witnessed an orchestrated campaign to weaken opposition politics. Today’s decision is a resounding affirmation that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and cannot be intimidated into legitimising political mischief.

“The David Mark-led National Working Committee emerged through a lawful and transparent process in accordance with the constitution of our great party. No amount of forum shopping or judicial adventurism can alter that fact,” he said.