The Oyo APC candidate for governor , Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has explained why a Polytechnic, Ibadan student appeared to sit on his lap in a widely circulated video.
According to his campaign team, the student and several classmates from the institution’s Department of Banking and Finance visited Alli at his campaign office in Mokola, Ibadan. The students wanted to interview him and invite him to their programme.
In a statement published on its website on Wednesday, the campaign team said Alli asked one of the students to sit on his lap so they could continue the interview because the students arrived when there were not enough seats for everyone.
However, the campaign team denounced attempts by some internet platforms to sexualise the exchange, characterising such interpretations as politically motivated and deceptive.
According to the campaign team, “the number of people present exceeded the available seating capacity, leaving insufficient chairs for everyone.”
The campaign team described Alli’s action as “a spontaneous and fatherly gesture” and denied any improper motive.
It also urged social media users and media outlets to report the incident responsibly. The team said digital platforms should not use sensationalism or innuendo to damage people’s reputations.
The campaign team called on the public to reject what it described as “cheap political blackmail.” It said ideas, competence, progress and the people’s welfare should guide the 2027 Oyo State governorship race.
Backstory…
The controversy began after a video surfaced online showing Oyo State APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, with a male student seated on his lap during an interaction at his campaign office in Mokola, Ibadan.
The footage quickly attracted criticism and speculation on social media, particularly because Alli appeared to briefly touch the student’s lap.
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