A former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has joined the Oyo South Senatorial District contest ahead of the 2023 general elections.
DAILY POST gathered from sources that Alli, a known political son of the former governor of the state, Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, will be contesting on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).
Alli served as SSG when Ladoja was governor of the state between 2003 and 2007.
He was the gubernatorial candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in 2019 before Ladoja begged him and other candidates of other political parties to support Engineer Seyi Makinde who later won the election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Oyo South Senatorial District is made up of nine local government areas covering six local government areas in Ibadan and three local government areas in Ibarapa geo-political zone.
It was gathered that no fewer than six politicians from the two major political parties in the state, APC and PDP had indicated interest to represent the district in 2023.
It however came as a surprise to many residents of the state, when the news of the latest move by Alli to go for senate instead of governor emerged.
A source within APC revealed that Alli’s entry into the senatorial race may not be unconnected with Ladoja’s readiness to present one of his most trusted ‘political sons’ for the position.
The source told DAILY POST that Alli has silently obtained and submitted his nomination and expression of interest forms at the party’s office in Abuja.
The source said, “Alli, a known political son of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo State was sighted on Tuesday and Wednesday at the party’s Secretariat here in Abuja.
“Alli’s entry into the race may not be unconnected with Ladoja’s readiness to present one of his most trusted ‘political sons’ for the position”.
A close ally of Alli, Barrister Koyejo Oyetunde when contacted on Thursday confirmed that Alli has joined the senatorial contest.
Oyetunde in a short statement made available to DAILY POST revealed that “It is true that he has picked and submitted Oyo South APC nomination form.
“As I speak with you, he is still in Abuja, waiting to be screened before returning home. We have absolute confidence in God and our party leaders and supporters that Alli will pick the party’s ticket and win the race for the party. Remember, he contested for the same seat in 1998 and won but the era was truncated by military interference”.
