Governorship, Oyo South senatorial candidates meet traditional rulers, religious leaders and community groups

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, and the party’s Oyo South senatorial candidate, Hon. Remi Oseni, have toured Ibarapa North, Central and East Local Government Areas to seek stakeholders’ support for their 2027 candidacies and other APC candidates across the ballot.

The two-day tour, which took place on Monday and Tuesday, covered Igangan, Tapa, Ayete, Idere, Igbo-Ora and Eruwa, where the candidates met traditional rulers, religious leaders, community groups and other stakeholders to discuss the area’s development challenges and solicit their backing ahead of the 2027 general elections.

During the engagements, Alli outlined his priorities for Oyo State, promising to prioritise the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Ibarapa road, extending to Igangan, improve the education sector, revive public water supply and strengthen local government administration if elected governor.

The delegation visited the palaces of the Asigangan of Iganganland, Oba Rafiu Adeniyi; the Asawo of Ayete, Oba Emanuel Ewuola Okeniyi; the Elempe of Tapa, Oba Sunday Oyekanmi Titiloye (Abioje I); the Olu of Igbo-Ora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye (Asoroolu Ayinla V); and the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola (Ajobo Olurin I). The team was also hosted by Dr. Olusola Ayandele Eruobodo at his residence on Monday evening.

Speaking during the meetings, Alli identified effective local government administration as critical to grassroots development, noting that local councils must be empowered to deliver meaningful improvements to their communities. He pledged to work towards a functional local government system that would make development more visible at the grassroots.

On education, the APC governorship candidate expressed concern about the standard of learning in the state and proposed limiting class sizes to a maximum of 30 pupils to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

He also promised to ensure that Oyo State’s financial resources, including federal allocations, translate into tangible improvements in infrastructure and public services. As part of his plans to improve residents’ welfare, he pledged to work towards reviving the state water corporation to ensure a more reliable supply of clean water across the state.

On infrastructure, Alli reiterated his commitment to reconstructing the Ibadan-Ibarapa road, extending to Igangan. He also promised to create greater opportunities for indigenous construction firms in the award of public contracts, while engaging external contractors for projects beyond the capacity of local companies.

The APC candidate also criticised the reported N5.5 billion expenditure on a stadium, questioning whether the facility met international standards and adequately served the needs of the state’s football clubs, particularly Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).

He cited difficulties faced by the club in arranging matches, including playing several away fixtures within a week and receiving a hostile reception at its temporary home ground in Ogun State. He attributed these challenges to the stadium facility’s reported failure to meet the required standards.

Also addressing the gatherings, Oseni, who is seeking election to the Senate to represent Oyo South Senatorial District, highlighted his contributions to the development of communities across Ibarapa and appealed to residents and community leaders to support his senatorial ambition.

He urged stakeholders to support APC candidates across the ballot, arguing that stronger cooperation between the state and the Federal Government could improve Oyo State’s access to federal opportunities, resources and development initiatives.

At a meeting with the League of Imams in Igbo-Ora, Alli acknowledged that disunity within the Muslim community might have affected communication with political leaders. He assured the religious leaders that his administration would not marginalise any religious group and appealed for their support for his aspiration and those of other APC candidates.

The tour was attended by APC leaders and campaign officials, including the Director-General of the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign, Hon. Yemi Aderibigbe; the Director-General of the Remi Oseni Campaign Council, Chief Lowo Obisesan; and the APC Deputy National Auditor, Hon. Gbenga Ariba, alongside other party leaders from across Oyo State.

Group questions budgetary provision, cites pending court cases

The Watchdogs for Good Governance has warned the 33 local government chairmen in Oyo State against releasing council funds for the planned December 29 local government election, questioning the legality and financial implications of a proposed N4.28bn funding arrangement.

The group alleged that the councils were being pressured to contribute N2.57bn towards the exercise despite claims that no provision was made for the expenditure in their 2026 budgets.

Under the proposed arrangement announced by the state government, the local governments are expected to bear 60 per cent of the election cost, amounting to N2,566,800,000, while the state government will contribute the remaining 40 per cent, or N1,711,200,000.

The controversy followed an announcement by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, that the State Executive Council had approved funding for the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct the election scheduled for December 29.

But the Watchdogs for Good Governance, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its convener, Comrade Ahmed Adeyemo, questioned why the councils should commit billions of naira to the election when, according to the group, the expenditure was not captured in their approved budgets.

Adeyemo argued that the proposed spending could further limit the resources available to local governments to address pressing needs in their communities, including bad roads, inadequate infrastructure and poor access to primary healthcare.

“Where is the budgetary provision for OYSIEC? Why resort to milking the councils dry when grassroots communities are grappling with bad roads, lack of basic infrastructure and poor access to quality primary healthcare?” he asked.

The group also raised concerns over pending court cases challenging the conduct of the election, warning that the councils could face financial consequences if the exercise were subsequently nullified.

According to Adeyemo, at least three suits had been filed by members of the Allied Peoples Movement over the election, including grievances relating to the selection of chairmanship and councillorship candidates across the 33 local government areas.

He maintained that proceeding with the election while the cases remained pending raised questions about the prudence of committing such a substantial amount of public money to the exercise.

“Spending billions on an election that is sub judice and may be voided by the courts is the height of administrative irresponsibility and financial recklessness,” Adeyemo said.

The group further alleged that council chairmen were under intense pressure from the state government to release their respective contributions, although it did not provide documentary evidence to substantiate the claim.

It consequently urged the chairmen not to authorise any transfer of council funds for the election without addressing the budgetary and legal concerns it had raised.

Adeyemo warned that any chairman found to have improperly diverted public funds for the exercise should be held accountable, insisting that local government resources should be used to meet the needs of residents.

“The funds belong to the people of Oyo State for development, not for funding an election whose legality is being contested,” he said.

The group called on the relevant authorities to clarify the financial arrangements for the election and address the concerns surrounding the pending litigation.

Efforts to obtain reactions from the affected council chairmen as of press time were unsuccessful.

The League of Veteran Journalists, Oyo State, has distanced itself from a lecture scheduled for Monday, October 26, at the Millennium Hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, saying the event is not being organised by the body.

The League, in a statement signed by its chairman, Banji Ogundele, described the purported organiser, the Veteran Journalists’ Association of Nigeria, as a “phantom organisation” and warned members of the public against being misled over the event.

It maintained that the League of Veteran Journalists, established in 1988, was the only recognised body of veteran journalists in Oyo State.

Ogundele said the clarification became necessary to protect the integrity of the journalism profession and prevent individuals from allegedly using the name of veteran journalists for personal interests.

According to the League, its membership comprises journalists and media practitioners who have spent at least 25 years in the profession.

Among its members, the statement listed prominent media figures, including Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Felix Adenaike, Bamiji Ojo, Layi Agbaje, Tunde Akingbade, Agboola Sanni, Kola Animasaun, Jare Ajayi, Bose Oyewole, Oladele Idris, Biodun Oduwole, Lanre Ogundipe, Shade Haastrup and Bolaji Kareem.

The League said its objectives include promoting press freedom, upholding professional ethics, encouraging public awareness through discussions and critical reviews, as well as protecting the welfare and interests of its members.

It added that the organisation remained committed to advancing the journalism profession and safeguarding its reputation.

The League urged members of the public to take note of its position on the planned lecture, stressing the need to protect the profession from actions it believes could undermine its credibility.