A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Kehinde Olaosebikan, said Oyo State needs a governor who can deliver democratic benefits and drive wealth creation.
He emphasised that the state needs a proactive wealth creator, not a leader reliant on monthly federal allocations.
He expressed confidence that Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, the APC governorship candidate, will win the upcoming February 6 election in Oyo State.
He noted that, for the first time since 1999, the APC has a candidate who excels in qualifications, experience, public acceptance, organisational structure, and moral authority.
“That candidate is Sen. Sharafadeen Alli. This is not propaganda. It is arithmetic; it is history.
It is the convergence of every factor that has ever decided an Oyo election, now all pointing in one direction. Olaosebikan, former Chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area, stated that Alli’s credentials, track record, and political profile position him for electoral success. He added that the defection of high-profile political officeholders to the APC strengthens the party’s governorship candidate.
“The highest political office holder in Gov. Seyi Makinde’s cabinet, his Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, led 36 other highly powerful leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) across the state to join the APC,” he said.
Olaosebikan stated that the collapse of the coalitions that supported Makinde in 2019 and 2023, along with recent defections of his top aides, will benefit All key loyalists and pillars of the government and political structure of Gov. Makinde have not just abandoned him and his party; they have joined the APC and are mobilising effectively for the emergence of Alli as Oyo’s next governor.
“Prominent and formidable political leaders, including Sen. Hosea Ayoola, former political adviser to the governor, Alase Babatunde Oduyoye, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning and others, have all left him,” he said.
Olaosebikan further noted that individuals who previously supported Makinde’s electoral victories have now joined the APC. Ayobami Ojo, Makinde’s Special Adviser on Budget and Economic Planning; Adegbola Oyeleke; Sunday Falana, a member of OYSIEC; and others had also recently parted ways with him. The APC chieftain also stated that key political figures, such as Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin, Chief Dotun Sanusi, and former Deputy Governor Taofeek Arapaja, have defected to the APC to support Alli. Oladapo Olabode described these developments as a significant shift that will benefit Alli, the APC, and the people of Oyo State. He stated that the state’s former kingmakers now support Sharafadeen Alli and are actively campaigning for him and other APC candidates.
“The very men and women who made victory possible for Makinde in 2019 and 2023 are now working assiduously for the emergence of Alli as the next governor of Oyo State.
“When the builders of the old house move to build a new house, the old house empties and eventually crumbles.
“Beyond politics, Oyo people are tired of promises without Olaosebikan added that the people need a relatable governor who can deliver democratic benefits, not someone controlled by political godfathers.f a governor-godfather.
“They are tired of a government that is loud on social media but silent on the farms, markets, in the classrooms, and hospitals.
“The people want a governor who knows the state and the roads leading to each local government area and not by Google Maps”.
According to him, Alli has served as local government chairman, Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company, Secretary to the State Government, and Chief of Staff to former Governor Rasidi Ladoja, who has chaired Odu’a Group and knows how to create wealth, not just spend allocation.
“A governor who understands and respects the roles of elders and leaders in society”, Olaosebikan said.
