Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, a former Secretary for the Oyo State Government, has cautioned residents of the Ibarapa geopolitical zone against electing individuals he described as strangers but claiming to be natives of Ibadan.
Goldennewsng reports that during a zonal rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alli, the APC’s Oyo South Senatorial candidate in the 2023 election, made this disclosure while addressing hundreds of the zone’s residents.
Senator Teslim Folarin, the APC’s candidate for governor, Chief Akinade Fijabi, and Barrister Lowo Obisesan were among the event’s stalwarts.
According to the Daily Post, there are nine (9) local government areas in Oyo South. Ibadan is home to six of the local government areas, while the Ibarapa zone is home to three.
Alli cautioned the zone’s residents against electing candidates who, according to him, merely claimed to be natives of Ibadan.
The former SSG insisted that some candidates for the Oyo South district in 2023 are not from Ibadan, claiming that both his parents were from the city.
“I am Sharafadeen Alli, a son of Ibadan and Ibarapa,” he declared. Both my mother and father are from Ibadan.
“Someone recently arrived here and claimed he was from Ibadan, but let me tell you, he is not.
“I am Maye Balogun of Ibadanland as well as Akogun of Ibadanland.”
“On the stage with me are Senator Teslim Folarin, an Ibadanland Asaaju Olubadan, Senior Chief Akinade Fijabi, an Ikolaba, and Senior Chief Barrister Lowo Obisesan, an Ibadanland Assaju Balogun. Chief Sina Alabi, a Mogaji, is also present. Dr. Isiaka Kolawole, a Mogaji, is also present here.