Oyo State is too big, too proud, and too rich in values to be handed over to a man like Senator Sharafadeen Alli. His ambition is not only misplaced, it is an insult to the collective intelligence of Ibadan people. Below are six bitter truths that expose why Sharafadeen Alli is nothing but a bad market in the political marketplace of Oyo State.
*1. A Useless Senator, Dreaming of becoming Governor*
What has he done in the Senate? Absolutely nothing to write home about. Ibarapa people cursed him openly for neglecting their community. The late Ibadan North Federal Representative, Akinremi Jagaban, facilitated over 300 jobs for youths in a single local government, but in more than two years, Alli cannot boast of helping even 30 people into federal employment across the 9 local governments in his senatorial district. Compare him with his Oyo North counterpart in the last 2 years, and you will weep for Oyo South. How can a man who is wasting four years as a senator now think he deserves to be our governor?
*2. An Ingrate With a Rotten Heart*
Before his Senate ticket, Sharafadeen Alli was almost a beggar, as poor as a church rat. Friends from Ọmọ Ajorosun Club and other benefactors raised him up financially and politically. But once he secured power, he abandoned them. He stopped taking their calls. He forgot their sacrifices. A man who betrays those who lifted him yesterday will surely betray the Presidency and the masses tomorrow.
*3. An Ibadan King Who Disrespects Our Values*
Alli ought to have been crowned a lesser Oba during the reign of the late Olubadan, Oba Olakulehin, but he deliberately delayed it for selfish political ambition. That alone tells you the kind of man he is. The law is clear: it is against the Oyo State Government Gazette for any Ibadan king to play politics. A king cannot be competing with the very people he reigns over. It is taboo. The gazette was meant to preserve the dignity of Ibadan’s 11 crowned Obas, yet Alli trampled upon it shamelessly. Even without a gazette, a man who respects himself and his crown should never drag royalty into the murky waters of politics. Ibadan people will never support a move that ridicules our sacred throne.
*4. Ticket Snatcher Without Shame*
Sharafadeen Alli did not earn his Senate seat; he snatched it like a thief in the night. He dampened the morale of loyal APC faithful and destroyed their confidence in due process. Till today, genuine progressives do not see him as one of their own. They do not even like him. He embarrassed Mrs. Florence Ajimobi by stealing the senatorial ticket from her son-in-law when he was not even physically present at the primaries that produced him. He taught Kola Daisi a bitter lesson that in APC, years of loyalty can be wasted in a single night because greedy men like Alli exist. This was not politics. It was political robbery. Up till today, APC members believe Alli came to reap where he did not sow. Hence, any attempt to field Alli will be massively rejected by APC members in Oyo State.
*5. A Fake Neutral Aspirant*
Sharafadeen has been parading himself as a neutral aspirant, preaching that Adelabu and Folarin have polarized the APC. But behind closed doors, he was showing loyalty to Folarin all along. Will people in other camps support such a pretender? He has gone around the Villa, quietly marketing himself as a neutral APC governorship aspirant, only to be rejected outright by progressive leaders back home. Now, emboldened by his acclaimed godfather’s new position as Olubadan, he dares to wrap pretence in false humility. Let it be clear: the exalted Olubadan throne must not be stained by his desperate scheming. The entire Ibadan family trusts that the Olubadan knows what is right and will never impose a stooge on his people.
*6. A Religious Pretender*
Sharafadeen Alli parades himself as a devout Muslim, yet his lifestyle contradicts everything he claims to stand for. The same man who is quick to condemn Bayo Adelabu on religious grounds is guilty of several indulgences that irritate real Muslims. Contrary to his public persona, he has been frequenting marabouts and Babalawos to become governor, instead of consulting and canvassing party leaders and members as other aspirants are doing. He has long abandoned the values he pretends to carry, and thus will be a hard sell to numerous Oyo State Muslim faithful.
*A Message to the Olubadan*
Dear Olubadan Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Arusa 1, Arabinrin Eniitan is aware of your conversations with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Kabiyesi, we love you and we revere you. You no longer belong to one political family, you now belong to every Ibadan son and daughter. To impose a political prodigal son on us is to divide the same house you just ascended to lead. Please stay off partisan endorsements. Your garment of honour is too precious to be stained.
*A Message to The President*
Oyo APC must field a credible candidate in 2027; someone who will not ridicule our throne or waste our future. God forbid that we wake up to call Senator Sharafadeen Alli our governor. Ibadan people will never allow it. Oyo State deserves far better than a politician that has a history of non-performance. Oyo APC must wear the crown come 2027, and to achieve this, it needs a truly neutral, easily sellable and credible candidate.
Ògún ò kó wárì.
Arabinrin Eniitan wrote from Ibadan.
