The Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dahud Makanjuola Akinola, has thrown his weight behind the 2027 governorship ambition of Senator Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, endorsing him as the preferred All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Oyo State governorship election.
Akinola made the declaration on Thursday at a special empowerment programme organised by the Asiwaju Musulumi of Oyo State, Alhaji Mutiu Oladejo Azeez Onimalu, at his residence in Egbeda, Ibadan.
The prominent Islamic leader premised his endorsement on what he described as an understanding reached by the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Muslim leaders in Oyo State ahead of the 2023 governorship election.
According to him, the agreement, which reportedly conceded a second term to Governor Seyi Makinde in 2023, also provided for the emergence of a popular Muslim candidate as a consensus choice for the 2027 governorship election.
He argued that Senator Alli’s candidature was consistent with the understanding and described his emergence as divinely ordained, insisting that the lawmaker enjoys the support of both Muslims and Christians in the state.
Akinola, while commending Onimalu for his contributions to the growth and development of Islam in Oyo State, praised his philanthropic disposition, particularly his commitment to humanitarian service, noting that such gestures would remain indelible in the history of the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, the host, Onimalu, expressed concern over the prevailing economic hardship, which he said had pushed hundreds of thousands of Nigerians into poverty.
He disclosed that his foundation was targeting the empowerment of at least 10,000 beneficiaries, particularly unemployed graduates and widows, as part of efforts to cushion the effects of economic hardship and reduce financial dependence on relatives and acquaintances.
The Asiwaju Musulumi, who also endorsed Senator Alli’s governorship ambition, expressed confidence in the senator’s prospects, describing his anticipated victory in the 2027 election as beyond doubt.
He maintained that the reported understanding between Muslim leaders and CAN in Oyo State remained sacrosanct, expressing confidence that CAN and other Christian organisations involved in the agreement would honour their commitments.
Onimalu consequently called on residents of the state to rally behind Senator Alli and vote massively for him in the February 2027 governorship election.
