Ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has unveiled a new media and communication structure designed to drive his campaign’s publicity, strategic messaging and public engagement.
The team brings together experienced journalists, communication practitioners and political media operatives with backgrounds spanning mainstream journalism, government communication, public affairs and strategic messaging.
In the new arrangement, former South-West Bureau Chief of The Nation newspaper, Bisi Oladele, has been appointed Director of Media and Publicity, while veteran media practitioner Kehinde Olaosebikan will serve as Director of Strategic Communication.
Bolaji Tunji, who previously served as Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the late Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, has been named Director of Public Affairs.
Also joining the leadership of the team is the immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Chief Ademola Babalola, who has been appointed Deputy Director.
Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, will serve as Secretary of the Media and Publicity Team.
According to a statement on the appointments, Alli said the restructuring was intended to strengthen his campaign’s visibility and improve how its programmes, policies and political message are communicated to the electorate.
He said the team would focus on media relations, strategic communication, public engagement and information management as preparations intensify for the 2027 governorship contest.
Oladele comes into the assignment with more than two decades of experience in journalism and public relations. He previously served as Executive Editor of Newspeak Media and Chairman of the South-West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP).
His professional background also includes academic training in communication. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education (English) from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and a Master’s degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan.
He is also concluding a PhD programme in Political Communication at Lead City University, Ibadan.
Olaosebikan is another prominent figure in the new communication structure, having served as Chief Press Secretary to the late Governor Lam Adesina of Oyo State.
His experience in government communication and media relations is expected to play a role in shaping the campaign’s strategic messaging.
Tunji, a journalist and communication professional, brings his experience from his tenure as Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Alli also indicated that the core team would work with other communication professionals across different areas of the media industry, including Ayotunde Olude, as the campaign develops its publicity and information strategy.
The APC chieftain expressed confidence that the combination of professional experience within the team would strengthen his campaign’s ability to communicate its political agenda and leadership vision to residents of Oyo State.
He charged the appointees to approach their responsibilities with professionalism, integrity and diligence, while placing the broader interests of the campaign and the people of the state above personal considerations.
With the 2027 governorship race gradually taking shape, the composition of Alli’s media structure signals an early attempt to build a coordinated communication machinery around his political ambition, particularly as parties and aspirants begin positioning themselves ahead of the election.
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