The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has dismissed reports that he and his entourage were attacked with stones during recent consultations in Igbeti and Kishi, describing the claim as completely unfounded and a product of the imagination of those who circulated it.
Alli, who spoke on Sunday at an APC stakeholders’ meeting and press conference, said he and his running mate were warmly received throughout their consultations across Oyo North, particularly in Igbeti and Kishi.
He said contrary to reports in some sections of the media, nothing untoward happened during the visits, stressing that the crowd that welcomed his team in the two communities was massive.
Alli said, “I want to use this opportunity to tell the whole world that we were received warmly, loudly, in all the places where we went and there was nowhere where anything untoward happened, not to talk of getting stoned, as has been said or carried in some sections of the media.
“The crowd that received us in Igbeti and Kishi was so massive. When we got to Kishi, it was already getting dark, and the crowd was so massive that the crowd we met at Yoyi, at the boundary, was much more than what we had there in 2023.”
The senator further dismissed the alleged incident, insisting that the reception his team received was evidence of the growing acceptance of the APC in the area.
He said the reception at the Kishi Town Hall was equally overwhelming, noting that the venue was filled to capacity when the delegation arrived at about 8pm.
“For anybody to now come up with the idea of saying that we were stoned, it is the figment of their own imagination. We were warmly received, and on getting to the hall at 8pm, when we got to the town hall, it was filled to the brim,” Alli said.
The APC candidate also urged party leaders, aspirants and members to remain united and sustain the momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He appealed to party members who contested the APC nomination processes to put their differences aside and work together towards securing victory for the party.
“I want to implore all of you, let’s all be on board. Let’s ensure that we get to power. It is for us. The coming government is for us,” he said.
“I want to plead with you, let’s keep the tempo at which we are moving right now. I want to assure you, on my behalf and that of our deputy, the tempo we are going to keep it on.”
Alli thanked APC leaders, aspirants and candidates in Olorunsogo, Irepo and Ogbomoso local government areas for their support during the consultations.
Looking ahead to his administration, Alli also promised to grant full administrative and financial autonomy to local governments in Oyo State if elected governor in 2027.
He said the proposed autonomy would give local governments greater capacity to deliver development at the grassroots and create opportunities for party members and residents to benefit from governance.
“I will only mention one or two, that as, by the grace of God, when I am sworn in on May 29, 2027, by His grace, there is going to be full administrative and financial local government autonomy in Oyo State,” he said.