The Yemetu axis of Ibadan was at a standstill for several hours on Friday, April 17th, 2026, as Senator Sharafadeen Alli officially declared for the Oyo State governorship race in 2027.
Not only the main road, the spillover of the mammoth crowd that stormed the Yemetu Police Barracks Ground venue of the declaration could be seen at other adjoining streets.
It was indeed a massive turnout for Alli, who is currently the All Progressives Congress (APC) senator representing Oyo South at the Upper Chamber, and will be contesting under the umbrella of the same party in 2027.
Many party leaders who spoke at the auspicious occasion described the turnout as impressive and a sign of symbolic unity within the party.
Party loyalists from Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, particularly Saki, Iseyin, Igboho, Ibarapa, and other places, all came in solidarity for Alli.
Some of the prominent party leaders and important personalities who graced the occasion included the former deputy governor of Oyo State, Barrister Iyiola Oladokun; the leader of the progressives in Oyo State, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle; former Oyo Central lawmaker, Senator Ayoade Adeseun; Baba Adisa Gbayawu; former Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs. Hannah Ogunesan; the senator representing Oyo Central, Yunus Akintunde; House of Representatives member representing Afijio/Atiba/Oyo East/Oyo West, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi (Skimeh), and Hon. Lafisoye Akinmoyede of Akinyele/Lagelu in the House of Representatives.
Also present were Hon. Remi Oseni, the House of Representatives member from Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency; former Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Asimiyu Alarape; the elder brother of former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, Alhaji Yinka Folarin; Alhaji Akeem Akogun; Hon. Mojeed Olaoya; Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, who warmly welcomed all in a powerful speech; and Alhaji Audu Marafa.
We also had in attendance Olori Funmilayo Balogun, the wife of late Olubadan Oba Lekan Balogun; Alhaji Bao; Mama Olasope; Hon. Lasun Adebunmi; Hon. Gafar Ojetola; Barr. Bunmi Akinboade; Alhaji Teslim Omilabu Gandi; Chief (Mrs.) Olanrewaju Otiti-Adedeji; Alhaja Ameringun; Alhaji Y.K. Abass, the Babalola of Oyo State and former House of Representatives member from Surulere/Ogo Oluwakemi and presently the Chairman, Board of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Hon. Segun Odebunmi.
Other dignitaries also worth mentioning are the wife of Ogun State APC's gubernatorial candidate, Senator Adeola Solomon, Temitope Solomon; wife of Osun Central senator, Olubiyi Fadeyi, Chief (Mrs.) Jumoke Fadeyi and her counterpart from Osun East, Mrs. Fadahunsi; Hon. Abideen Kabir Were; Hon. Tolu Sadipe; among others.
Apart from the long list of party leaders and prominent guests, another key thing that added sauce to the iconic declaration ceremony was the electrifying performances from three top Nigerian Fuji music icons led by Alhaji Ayinde Merenge, Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere, and Saheed Osupa. Particularly Saheed Osupa's negative lines, believed to be directed to Governor Seyi Makinde, have since sent the Internet on fire.
But away from the controversial songs by Osupa, the event was successful in all ramifications. The choice of venue, though questioned by some people, was strategic; first, it is under Ibadan North Local Government where Senator Sharafadeen Alli hails from, and also the fact that it's right on the ground of a police barracks, which guaranteed almost hundred percent security.
Senator Alli in his remarks described the official declaration as not just a date on the calendar but a turning point and a declaration of purpose, noting that it's a new dawn in Oyo State and a call to service for the future and prosperity of the state.
He noted that the declaration came after due consultations with APC stakeholders in the state, as well as traditional rulers and the grassroots at ward, local, and state levels.
Alli, however, promised to run an inclusive government if elected governor of Oyo State in 2027, noting that his administration would prioritize inclusiveness across all segments of society, including youths, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
“I want to assure everybody that the government we are going to run, by the grace of God, will be all-inclusive. We are going to carry everybody along — the elderly, youths, women, and persons with disabilities.
“Certainly, we are going to run a government that will make this state better than it is today,” he said.
Speaking further, Alli also projected himself as the most suitable among the aspirants seeking the party’s governorship ticket.
“Our party has been out of office in the last eight years, and the people of Oyo State are yearning for positive change. I see myself as capable of steering the affairs of this state and taking it to the next level.
“Like other aspirants, they are qualified, but out of two good options, one will be better. I believe I am better for the job,” the senator said.
Dismissing insinuations of cracks in Oyo APC, Alli insisted that he has the support of a large proportion of key stakeholders.
“They are all behind me. You may not see some of them here for one reason or another, but you can see the caliber of people present.
“More than 80 percent of the party stakeholders are here. Out of the three senators in the National Assembly, two are here, while the third, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, communicated his absence.
“Look at the number of House of Representatives members present. All four members of the State House of Assembly are here, as well as the former deputy governors, members of the APC state working committee, and all the 33 local government chairmen of our party.
On the issue of zoning the governorship seat to Oke-Ogun, Alli expressed support for the principle while maintaining that all qualified aspirants should be allowed to contest.
“I wholeheartedly support it. I believe everybody in Oyo State is entitled to be voted for, as long as they meet the requirements,” he added.
Let's tell you about Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) (Hons) and a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Ibadan, alongside a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Legislative & Strategic Studies from the Federal University of Lokoja.
His professional affiliations include being a Principal Partner at Biodun Alli & Co. and holding fellowships and associate memberships with numerous prestigious professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Institute of Strategic Management, and the Chartered Institute of Leadership & Governance.
Also, his political career is marked by a series of notable achievements, demonstrating a consistent upward trajectory.
Alli made history as the Pioneer Ibadan North Local Government Chairman at just 28.
He was an Ex-Senator-Elect for Oyo South at 35, served as Secretary to the State Government at 40, and later as Chief of Staff to the Governor at 42.
He also chaired the Board of Directors for Odu’a Investment Company Limited. Currently, he serves as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing the Oyo South Senatorial District.
This extensive track record of public service, coupled with his deep roots in the community – evidenced by his leadership in the Omo Ajorosun Club and his traditional titles as Asiwaju Balogun of Bakatari, Akogun of Ibadanland, and Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland – positions him uniquely.
-Dare Adeniran
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