Oyo 2027: We’re Here to Restate Our Responsibility, Commitment to Your Governorship Bid – Former Council Chairmen ‘Forum 68’ Pays Solidarity Visit to Senator Sharafadeen Alli

Tunde Adeyemo,
Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Forum of former Local Government Council Chairmen in Oyo State, popularly known as Forum-68 has paid solidarity visit to the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial flagbearer and senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Dr Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli today at his residence in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

The Forum members were led by Basorun Bosun Ajuwon and Hon. Jesutoye Oluyinka Inaolaji; In their speech, the former council gaffers reiterated that they are on solidarity visit not just to declare their support for the APC standardbearer but to restate their commitment to the governorship project as their responsibility, and  to immensely contribute to Alli’s emergence based on his experience as a grassroots and pro-people politician.

The former council helmsmen lauded Senator Alli for the recognition the Forum has been receiving from the APC guber candidate, especially the recent one, which includes the appointment of the members of the Forum as campaign council coordinators and other responsibilities.

The Forum chieftains reiterated what they described as the Oyo APC guber candidate’s vast experience, humility, statesmanly politics and organic leadership.

In his response, Alli thanked the former council helmsmen for their solidarity support, total commitment and statement of credence on his personality and his governorship bid.

Alli assured the Forum and the entire good people of Oyo State of leading an all-inclusive governance when the mandate is given, coming 2027.

Alli emphasised that, “I have belief in our great party, APC, and I have confidence in our leaders. Any decision we take as government would be in consultation with party leadership at all strata and with other critical stakeholders like your Forum. On allocations of position matters, it will be a collective decision, such as us all putting collective efforts in place now as party faithful to enthrone progressive and pro-people governance for the good people of Oyo State come 2027.

The lawmaker pledged to reposition Oyo State through local government autonomy, alternative power supply, quality education, agricultural transformation, improved healthcare, enhanced security, infrastructural development and workers’ welfare.

The APC candidate assured the Forum and Oyo people of full implementation of local government autonomy in line with the constitution to strengthen grassroots governance and accelerate development across the state, while officially hinting the gathering of a forthcoming grassroots summit.

Alli emphasised that local councils would effectively drive agriculture, food production, security, rural development and other constitutional responsibilities under his administration.

While promoting the concepts of unity in diversity, inclusion and gender parity, Senator Alli declared that women would have say in his government and be adequately involved. He also vowed to run a youth-friendly government and inclusive governance that prioritises the welfare of people with special needs and the entire good people of Oyo State.

Alli promised to engender sustainable governance, hinting at composing the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) as a way of ensuring unity, reciprocity of patronage, mutually beneficial relationships, good reward systems and participatory governance.

GAC is the apex political decision-making and advisory body of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), such as the one in Lagos State, founded in 1999 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure as governor of the state. In GAC, influential and all-inclusive members of the caucus shape major party strategies, candidate selections, succession planning and government policies. Its membership comprises senior stakeholders, including elder statesmen, former governors, ex-deputies, former speakers, prominent party chieftains and other integrous personalities.

Alli; an astute politician with 35-year experience of grassroots governance and 40 years of grassroots politics with backgrounds in three arms of government as a legal practitioner, pioneer chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), former Chief of Staff (CoS) in Oyo State, and presently serving as the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly”; affirmed his accessibility and charismaric mode of leadership.”We’re listening and accessible.

Alli promised greater government support for artisans, market associations and other trade groups to promote peaceful coexistence and economic development.

The meeting was attended by the former council chairmen from across the state and other chieftains of Oyo APC.