Oyo senator Alli declares governorship bid

The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Alli, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo State governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in 2027.

Alli made the declaration on Friday at an event held in Yemetu, Ibadan North Local Government Area of the state.

He said his decision followed consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across the state.

“After due consultations with the leadership and membership of the party, I am presenting myself to you as the governorship aspirant of our party. In order to achieve my lofty ambition, I will need the support of the members from the unit to the state levels.

“This is not about ambition alone; it is about responsibility, it is about service, it is about the future and prosperity of the good people of the state. My journey in public service has never been about titles but an unrepentant quest for impact and progress,” he said.

The lawmaker said his administration, if elected, would focus on key sectors, including education and security.

He also criticised the Peoples Democratic Party-led government in the state, promising to address what he described as lapses in governance.

He added, “As former Chief of Staff to our father, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, now Olubadan of Ibadanland, I stood at the centre of governance, coordinating, aligning and ensuring that leadership and administrative acumen translated into action.

“And today, as senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, I have continued to raise my voice; not for myself, but for our people through legislation, advocacy and interventions that touch lives across various strata of our economy.

“Your servant, your friend, your brother, your son and loyalist, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli is not perfect, but proven accountable at all times, and I will continue to be the same person you have always known.”

The event was attended by party members and supporters from across the state.

Some political figures were, however, absent from the declaration.

Leaders of the APC in the Ibarapa zone had earlier endorsed Alli as their preferred governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 election.

The endorsement followed a meeting with the aspirant on April 14, 2026.