Senators Folarin and Sharafadeen Alli meet President Tinubu over Oyo APC Guber ticket

Senators Folarin and Sharafadeen Alli meet President Tinubu over Oyo APC Guber ticket

Two leading governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli and former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin, have separately met with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos amid early moves toward the party’s 2027 governorship ticket.

Sources familiar with the meetings said both politicians visited the President in recent days to seek his support and political backing as jockeying intensifies within the party ahead of the next election cycle.

Alli, who currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate and holds the traditional title of Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland, reportedly met Tinubu earlier in the week.

The senator previously served as chairman of Ibadan North Local Government Area, Secretary to the Oyo State Government and chairman of O’dua Investment Company Limited.

Confirming the meeting in a post on his verified Facebook page, Alli described the visit as an opportunity for reflection and encouragement during the Easter season.

“I recently had the distinct honor of visiting His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), during this Easter season, a time of renewal, reflection, and hope,” he wrote.

“Our conversation reaffirmed my confidence in his courage, clarity of purpose, and unwavering commitment to Nigeria. Beyond the bold reforms and strategic interventions across key sectors, I saw a leader deeply invested in the well-being of our people, focused not just on policies, but on transforming lives and restoring confidence in our nation’s future.

“He reminded me that leadership is a a sacred trust, one that must be exercised with strength, compassion, and a constant awareness that true success is measured by the lives we uplift.

“That message will continue to guide my service. I left the meeting inspired, re-energized, and quietly confident that, with unity and steadfast support, Nigeria is on a steady path toward lasting stability and shared prosperity. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Folarin, the Agba-Akin Olubadan of Ibadanland and a former Senate Leader between 2007 and 2011, also disclosed that he held talks with the President.

In a post shared on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, the former lawmaker described the engagement as a personal and political conversation.

“Yesterday, I had the honour of a father-to-son discussion with our leader and President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” Folarin wrote.