A former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Alhaji Sharafadeen Alli, has joined in the race for the Oyo South Senatorial ticket on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A source at the APC National Headquarters in Abuja told newsmen on Thursday in Ibadan, that Alli had picked the expression of interest and nomination forms on Tuesday and submitted on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alli was a former Chairman of Ibadan North LGA in 1991 and was a Chief of Staff to former Gov. Rashidi Ladoja in 2005.
“I can confirm to you that Sharafadeen Alli picked the nomination form on Tuesday morning, hours before the initial deadline set by the party. He submitted the form here on Wednesday afternoon,” the source told newsmen.
Also confirming the development, Mr Koyejo Oyetunde, a close associate of Alli, said that the politician had truly picked and submitted the form.
“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, 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 April 1998 and won, but the era was truncated by military interference,” he said.
Oyetunde described Alli as the best man for the job, saying he would deliver based on his experience, exposure and pedigree.
Ali, who joined the APC in 2021 after leaving the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) is one among many aspirants jostling to pick the Oyo South Senatorial District ticket.
Among the party’s chieftains who have picked forms for the position are Sen. Kola Balogun, Sen. Adesoji Akanbi, Dr Olusola Ayandele, Mr Abimbola Adekambi and Chief Adegboyega Adegoke.
The aspirants will jostle at the party’s primary slated for May 24 and May 25 for the seat presently occupied by Sen. Kola Balogun who won the position in 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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The PDP ticket for the seat was however handed over to Mr Joseph Tegbe, a new entrant into the party from the APC, by Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, which forced Balogun to leave the party for APC.
