The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, on Monday unveiled his governance blueprint, promising to strengthen local government administration, improve public education and healthcare, enhance security, and stimulate economic growth if elected governor.

Speaking at a programme tagged “A Day With BSA” held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Alli said his administration would focus on responsive leadership and sustainable development to deliver tangible benefits to residents across the state.

He described his vision as one built on prosperity, security and inclusive economic development, stressing that governance must be driven by the needs of the people.

A key feature of his blueprint is the full implementation of local government autonomy in line with the provisions of the Constitution.

According to him, granting councils greater operational independence will strengthen grassroots governance and enable them to effectively discharge their constitutional responsibilities, including agriculture, rural development, food production and community security.

To achieve this, the APC candidate pledged to restore statutory subventions and running grants to local government councils, saying the move would enable them to rehabilitate rural roads, strengthen neighbourhood watch and vigilante groups, and execute projects that directly impact their communities.

“Development is more meaningful when it begins from the grassroots. Local governments must be empowered to serve the people effectively and respond to their immediate needs,” he said.

On education, Alli promised sweeping reforms across the primary, secondary and tertiary levels to improve learning standards and restore confidence in the public school system.

He said consultants currently managing tertiary institutions would be disengaged, while governing councils would be allowed to function strictly in line with their enabling laws.

He also pledged to recruit more teachers, reduce class sizes to about 30 pupils, upgrade school infrastructure and restore school subventions to improve teaching and learning.

The APC standard-bearer further promised to revive school farms in rural communities and establish technical colleges across the state’s three senatorial districts to equip young people with vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

Speaking on agriculture, Alli said his administration would establish commodity boards, provide farmers with tractors, fertilisers and modern farm implements, and support increased food production across the state.

He added that cottage industries would be encouraged to process agricultural produce locally, while guaranteed off-takers would be introduced to create employment opportunities for young agripreneurs and reduce post-harvest losses.

On healthcare, the governorship hopeful promised to ensure that every ward has a functional primary healthcare centre, while every local government area would have a well-equipped general hospital.

He also pledged to recruit more doctors and other healthcare professionals to improve access to quality medical services for residents.

Alli said security would remain a major priority under his administration, promising better welfare packages, operational vehicles and modern equipment for neighbourhood watch personnel and vigilante groups.

He also vowed to accelerate road rehabilitation and expand access to potable water in both urban and rural communities, noting that schools, hospitals, markets and other public institutions would benefit from improved water infrastructure.

The APC candidate further promised greater support for artisans, traders, market associations and other business groups to encourage entrepreneurship, promote peaceful coexistence and stimulate economic activities across the state.

He assured civil servants that salaries would be paid on or before the 25th of every month, while regular recruitment and continuous training would be prioritised to improve productivity in the public service.

He also pledged prompt payment of pensions and gratuities and promised to restore the 13th-month salary for workers.

In the area of sports development, Alli said his administration would revive grassroots competitions, build standard stadiums in the state’s six geopolitical zones and provide stronger support for Shooting Stars Sports Club and other football teams in Oyo State.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Oyo State, Akeem Abas, said the union remained non-partisan and was providing a platform for all governorship candidates to present their programmes and vision for the state. He added that the initiative was aimed at giving residents the opportunity to understand the candidates’ plans and make informed choices during the election.

The event was attended by the APC deputy governorship candidate, Adesoji Adedeji; the Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Moses Adeyemo; members of the party’s state executive committee, other party leaders and a large number of supporters.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, on Monday commenced moves to reunite the party following its governorship primary, assuring members that all grievances arising from the exercise would soon be resolved.

Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate, said the party had already activated reconciliation mechanisms to restore unity and strengthen its chances ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

He spoke during a media briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat, Iyaganku, Ibadan, attended by his running mate, Mr. Adesoji Adedeji; the Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Moses Adeyemo; and other party leaders.

The APC governorship primary was contested by 11 aspirants, with some of the contestants expressing reservations over the outcome of the exercise.

Addressing journalists, Alli described the post-primary disagreements as a normal feature of democratic politics, particularly in a party with many credible and qualified aspirants.

He disclosed that the party had constituted a reconciliation committee to engage aggrieved aspirants and their supporters, while he had also embarked on personal consultations aimed at rebuilding confidence within the party.

According to him, the collective interest of the APC must take precedence over individual ambitions.

He said, “It is not unusual to have aggrieved aspirants after a keenly contested primary. We had 11 accomplished and competent individuals seeking one ticket. Naturally, only one person could emerge.

“Every aspirant who participated in the primary was qualified to govern Oyo State. The process has produced a candidate, and as loyal party members, our responsibility now is to come together for the bigger task ahead.”

Alli expressed confidence that the misunderstandings would soon be resolved, saying discussions with key stakeholders had already begun.

“I want to assure our members that every grievance arising from the primary will be addressed. The party has put a reconciliation committee in place, and I have personally been meeting with those involved. Earlier today, I met with one of the G6 members as part of our ongoing consultations.

“Our focus is not on the primary anymore; it is on how to unite the APC and position it for victory in 2027. We cannot afford to be divided when the people of Oyo State are looking up to us for credible leadership.”

The senator urged party members to close ranks and work together, insisting that unity, discipline and collective commitment would determine the party’s success in the next governorship election.

He added that the APC remained the most formidable political platform in the state and expressed optimism that the reconciliation process would further strengthen the party’s resolve to reclaim power in 2027.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State yesterday faulted Governor Seyi Makinde’s call on the United Nations (UN) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the recent killings, abductions and rescue of 46 victims in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the move as “shameful, shocking and unbecoming of a leader.”

The opposition party accused the governor of politicising insecurity and attempting to internationalise what it called a domestic security challenge.

Makinde, while receiving the rescued victims at the Government House, Ibadan, on Monday, urged the United Nations and international human rights organisations to conduct an independent investigation into the incident, saying the circumstances surrounding the attacks and rescue operation were “grave and unusual.”

The governor’s position came days after he alleged during a visit to Bauchi State that the attacks on Ahoro Esiele and Yawota communities were orchestrated by individuals opposed to his alleged 2027 presidential ambition.

But in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC said the governor’s position was a demonstration of “ineptitude, cluelessness and grandstanding.”

The party urged Makinde to be “circumspect, decorous and statesman-like” as he prepares to complete his tenure.

It alleged that insecurity had worsened in Oyo State under the present administration, claiming the state had become the worst affected by banditry in Southern Nigeria.

The APC also criticised the governor’s appeal to the United Nations, arguing that Article 2(7) of the UN Charter discourages external interference in the domestic affairs of sovereign nations.
According to the party, rather than calling for an international investigation, the governor should focus on addressing the security challenges confronting residents of the state.

The opposition party further challenged Makinde to submit himself to investigations over allegations relating to local government funds, the Bodija explosion relief fund, surveillance aircraft procurement, airport and stadium upgrade projects, among other transactions.

The APC, however, did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegations.
As of press time, the Oyo State Government had not responded to the APC’s latest claims