Why Many Stakeholders See Sen. Sharafadeen Alli As Oyo’s Best Bet For 2027 After Winning Daily Independent’s 2025 Best Legislator Award
By seun oloketuyi
As the race for the 2027 Oyo State governorship gradually gathers momentum, growing voices within the All Progressives Congress (APC) are presenting Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli as a leading contender whose experience and policy direction position him as a strong option for the state’s next leadership. Supporters argue that his long standing involvement in governance across multiple levels gives him a rare blend of grassroots and executive experience. Notably, his profile received a further boost after he was honoured with the 2025 Best Legislator Award by the Daily Independent in Lagos.
Alli’s political journey began at the local government level as chairman of Ibadan North Local Government in 1991, a role often credited with shaping his grassroots appeal. He later moved to the heart of state administration, serving as Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff under former governor Rashidi Ladoja from 2003 to 2007, where he was involved in coordinating policies and overseeing implementation. His tenure as chairman of the Odu’a Group further expanded his profile into economic and corporate governance before his election to the Senate to represent Oyo South.
Within the All Progressives Congress, party leaders in the influential Ibarapa zone have already endorsed him as their preferred aspirant, citing his loyalty to the party, ability to unite stakeholders, and deep connection with grassroots structures.
His declaration in Ibadan attracted key APC figures, including Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, former First Lady Florence Ajimobi, and Senator Teslim Folarin, reinforcing perceptions of growing internal backing.Beyond endorsements, Alli has laid out a policy blueprint that focuses on strengthening local government autonomy, improving security, repositioning education as a hub for innovation, upgrading healthcare services, and revitalising the state economy through agriculture, rural electrification, and better road networks. Supporters say the agenda directly targets issues many residents identify as their most pressing concerns.
He has also criticised the Peoples Democratic Party led administration in the state, promising to address perceived governance lapses and revive local government administration. At the same time, his alignment with the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is viewed by party insiders as a signal of potential federal–state collaboration that could attract development opportunities.
While the APC primaries remain ahead and other aspirants are expected to emerge, supporters say Alli’s mix of experience, endorsements, legislative recognition and policy focus explains why many within the party are already describing him as Oyo’s “best bet” for the 2027 governorship race.
