Oyo APC Governorship Crisis Deepens as G6 Aspirants Reject Alli’s Candidacy Claim

• The G6 group of aggrieved governorship aspirants insists the party has no candidate yet, describing Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s assertions as “delusional” and demanding a credible consensus process supervised by President Tinubu.

The crisis rocking the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) intensified on Tuesday as six governorship aspirants, operating under the banner of the G6, openly rejected Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli’s claim that he is the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election. The aggrieved aspirants insisted that the APC is yet to produce a standard bearer and described Alli’s assertions as premature and unfounded. The G6, comprising former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan; Engr. Hakeem Alao; Dr. Ayobami Lam-Adesina; Barrister Akeem Agbaje; Mr. Ololade Bakare; and Barrister Musibau Asanike, made their position known in a statement issued on Tuesday. The group maintained that no agreement had been reached on the emergence of a consensus governorship candidate, and that their position on the governorship race has not changed.

Senator Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly and is one of the APC governorship aspirants, has maintained that his nomination is valid. Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Ibadan organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Alli expressed confidence that efforts were already underway to heal divisions within the party and unite key stakeholders ahead of the 2027 polls. “On my part, I have also been going round to reconcile with members, both the governorship and the senatorial aspirants. I can tell you this party is going to resolve all that you think is a crisis,” Alli said. The senator also disclosed that he had held meetings with some of the aspirants in recent days and expressed optimism that disagreements within the party would soon be resolved.

READ ALSO:

• ADC Youth Wing Demands Probe into Primaries Irregularities, Insists Implicated Leaders Must Resign
• US Shuts Down Routine Visa Processing at Abuja Embassy, 24 Other African Missions
• Osun govt accuses police of raiding SSG, commissioners’ homes without warrants

The G6, however, swiftly distanced itself from the senator’s remarks. In a statement, the aspirants said Alli was moving ahead of events and creating the impression that a consensus had already been reached when discussions were still ongoing. They stressed that none of them had abandoned their political ambitions and that their supporters remained committed to ensuring a fair process for selecting the party’s eventual candidate. “Oyo State APC is yet to have a governorship candidate, and Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who has been parading himself as the candidate of our great party, is living in delusion,” the statement read. The aspirants maintained that they remained loyal members of the APC and had no intention of working against the party. They noted that their primary concern was the emergence of a candidate through a process that would enjoy broad acceptance among members and stakeholders across the state. According to them, the success of the APC in 2027 depends on unity, transparency and a consensus-building process that accommodates different interests within the party.

The G6 reiterated its support for President Bola Tinubu and said it would stand by any decision reached through a credible consensus arrangement initiated by the President and the party leadership. “We are good party members and will gladly work for the victory of our great party with anyone President Bola Ahmed Tinubu picks as the consensus candidate,” the statement added. The group further argued that imposing any aspirant on party members could deepen divisions and weaken the APC’s chances in the next governorship contest. They called for wider consultations and a review of ongoing political arrangements to ensure that all stakeholders are carried along. “While G6 is committed to the success of our party in the 2027 general elections, we insist that the process must be reviewed to produce a consensus that will ensure the emergence of a candidate that most party members will accept and support. Not an aspirant who is using propaganda in his bid to impose himself as the candidate of the party,” the group stated.

The crisis within the Oyo APC has been brewing for months, with multiple factions and aggrieved aspirants raising concerns over the conduct of the party’s governorship primary. In July 2026, the party inaugurated a high-powered reconciliation committee led by Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Professor Taoheed Adedoja to resolve internal grievances and strengthen unity ahead of the 2027 polls. During separate consultative meetings held on July 8 and July 10, the aggrieved aspirants expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the governorship primary, raising concerns over both the process and the outcome of the exercise. Despite their grievances, the aspirants reaffirmed their commitment to the party and agreed to honour any invitation by President Tinubu to discuss their concerns. The crisis has also been compounded by supporters of the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, who have continued protests at the APC Secretariat in Oyo State, insisting on “Adelabu or nothing” and rejecting what they described as an alleged attempt to impose a governorship candidate.

Despite the deepening crisis, the APC’s reconciliation committee has continued to meet with aggrieved aspirants in an effort to restore unity. The committee has assured all parties of its commitment to handling the process with sincerity, transparency and objectivity, stressing that every submission and concern will receive fair consideration. President Tinubu has also been expected to intervene directly in the matter, with the aspirants expressing readiness to honour any invitation by the President to discuss their concerns. The party leadership has expressed confidence that the ongoing reconciliation exercise will promote peace, unity and progress within the Oyo State chapter of the APC ahead of future political activities. Despite the disagreements, the G6 emphasized that the APC in Oyo State remains united and capable of reclaiming power in the state if internal issues are properly managed. They described the party as one family and said their demand for a credible consensus process should not be interpreted as rebellion against the party leadership.

Oyo APC Governorship Crisis Deepens as G6 Aspirants Reject Alli’s Candidacy Claim

Osun govt accuses police of raiding SSG, commissioners’ homes without warrants

The Osun State Government has raised alarm over what it described as the systematic invasion, surveillance and alleged attacks on the homes of top government officials by personnel of the Osun State Police Command, claiming that some of the operations were carried out without proper search warrants.

The government said the latest incident involved the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), which it alleged was invaded by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, said the reported police operation resulted in the arrest of some family members of the SSG, who were allegedly taken to an undisclosed location.

Alimi said the incident followed similar police operations at the homes of about six commissioners and other senior officials of the state government.

According to the commissioner, the SSG was attending a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when police officers reportedly entered the residence. He added that ward officials were holding a meeting within the premises at the time of the operation.

READ ALSO:

• Mutfwang Clarifies Apology to Igbo Community: “My Words Were Twisted”
• Benue killings: Police neutralise two suspected bandits after 13 die in Otukpo attack
• “God Revealed You’re My Wife”: Ghana Police Arrest Fake Pastor Over Romance Scam

The state government also alleged that police officers had earlier raided the residence of the Osun Commissioner for Energy in Ikire, claiming that the property was searched and some items were damaged.

Alimi further alleged that several other commissioners had reported increased police surveillance around their homes, while some residences were reportedly entered despite no allegation of illegal activity being linked to the properties.

The commissioner said the government had received reports that some members of the Accord Party were being held at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Osun State Police Command and had not been granted bail.

He described the alleged raids and arrests as an attack on the Osun government and accused the police command of acting in a partisan manner.

“The campaign of repression constitutes a grave danger to democracy,” Alimi said, alleging that the police had become a tool in the hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The Osun government argued that law enforcement agencies must operate within the provisions of the Constitution and remain neutral in political matters, particularly as preparations continue for the 2026 Osun governorship election.

Alimi warned that the reported operations could increase political tension and affect public confidence in the ability of security agencies to provide a peaceful and level playing field during the election.

He called on traditional rulers, the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and President Bola Tinubu to intervene and investigate the allegations.

The commissioner also urged relevant authorities to ensure that police operations in the state were conducted professionally, lawfully and without political bias.

According to Alimi, Governor Ademola Adeleke had repeatedly appealed to residents and political supporters to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands despite growing concerns over political violence and security-related developments in the state.

He warned that the situation could worsen if the allegations were not addressed, calling for urgent action to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

The Osun State Government said it remained committed to protecting the rights and safety of residents while urging security agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities fairly and impartially.

As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Police Command had not publicly responded to the specific allegations concerning the reported invasion of the SSG’s residence, the alleged raids on commissioners’ homes or the claims involving members of the Accord Party.

Osun govt accuses police of raiding SSG, commissioners’ homes without warrants

Benue killings: Police neutralise two suspected bandits after 13 die in Otukpo attack

The Benue State Police Command has expressed regret over the killing of 13 people during a deadly attack on Efeyi Ugboju Community in Otukpo Local Government Area, saying two suspected bandits were neutralised during a follow-up security operation.

The attack reportedly occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, July 28, 2026, when armed attackers invaded the community and allegedly targeted cattle belonging to a resident, Mr Peter Ambulus.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondona, the command said police operatives were deployed to the area after receiving a distress call.

According to preliminary police findings, the attackers rustled 20 cattle and opened fire on farmers they encountered while fleeing from the community.

The attack claimed 13 lives, according to the police. The incident caused fear and tension in Efeyi Ugboju and nearby communities, with residents expressing concerns over renewed attacks in parts of Otukpo Local Government Area.

Following the attack, the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, visited the affected community to assess the security situation and coordinate the response.

READ ALSO:

• “God Revealed You’re My Wife”: Ghana Police Arrest Fake Pastor Over Romance Scam
• NDC Demands Suspension, Resignation of Lagos CP Over City Boy Movement Event Attendance
• Gunmen Abduct INEC Staff in Anambra, Demand N40m Ransom in Dual Attacks

The police commissioner subsequently led tactical teams on a coordinated clearance operation aimed at tracking down the attackers, recovering the stolen cattle and preventing further violence.

During the operation, the police team reportedly came under an ambush from suspected members of the cattle-rustling syndicate, resulting in a gun battle.

The command said two suspected bandits were neutralised during the exchange, while security operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle and 15 rounds of ammunition.

Police said tactical teams were continuing to comb nearby forests and surrounding communities in search of fleeing suspects. The operation is also focused on recovering the stolen cattle and ensuring that everyone connected to the attack is identified and brought to justice.

The Commissioner of Police condemned the killings and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. He directed tactical and operational commanders to sustain the security operation until all members of the criminal group were apprehended.

The police command reassured residents that efforts were being intensified to restore normalcy and strengthen security in Efeyi Ugboju and surrounding communities.

Residents were urged to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in locating the fleeing suspects and supporting ongoing investigations.

The latest incident has renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of Benue State, particularly in communities where residents have continued to report attacks and threats to lives, livelihoods and agricultural activities.

Police said the clearance operation would continue as investigations progressed, while security agencies work to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects.

Benue killings: Police neutralise two suspected bandits after 13 die in Otukpo attack