An alleged internal power struggle has rocked the camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, following reports that some of his supporters engaged in a physical confrontation over the sharing of political appointments ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The reported incident, which occurred during a meeting of Alli’s supporters in Ibadan, allegedly erupted after disagreements over the distribution of anticipated political positions, including commissioner slots, special adviser appointments, board chairmanships and other government positions.
Sources familiar with the meeting claimed that some supporters became agitated after accusing certain individuals within the camp of secretly allocating choice positions among themselves without consulting or considering other members who had been working for the candidate’s political ambition.
An aggrieved supporter, identified as Mr Shola Mathew, was quoted as expressing frustration over what he described as an attempt by a few individuals to monopolise anticipated appointments.
“They have already shared Commissioners and other appointments. They said they will carry us along, but we have seen the list. They have shared everything among their cronies,” he reportedly said.
What reportedly began as a heated argument soon degenerated into a physical altercation, with some participants allegedly exchanging blows, tearing clothes and damaging chairs at the meeting venue.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the intervention of party elders and security personnel was required to restore order and prevent the disagreement from escalating further.
Beyond the reported physical confrontation, the incident has raised questions about the level of internal cohesion within Alli’s political camp, particularly the growing competition for positions in a government that is yet to emerge from the ballot box.
For political observers, the reported disagreement presents an uncomfortable picture of a political camp already grappling with the struggle for anticipated rewards, even before securing the mandate of the electorate.
The development also comes against the backdrop of reported internal disagreements, resignations and alleged dissatisfaction with the Alli/Adesoji Adedeji governorship ticket, with prominent APC figures, including former Senator Teslim Folarin, Senator Fatai Buhari, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Mrs Florence Ajimobi and Barrister Akeem Agbaje, reportedly associated with concerns surrounding the party’s political direction.
The unfolding situation could further test the APC’s ability to present a united front as the 2027 election approaches, especially at a time when political unity and a clear campaign agenda are expected to be central to its electoral calculations.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Senator Sharafadeen Alli nor his campaign organisation had issued an official statement addressing the reported altercation or allegations of appointment sharing among his supporters.
