The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has promised to grant local governments (LGs) and local council development areas (LCDAs) autonomy from May 29, 2027, if elected.
Alli made the pledge on Thursday at the inauguration of the Oyo State chapter of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement and the donation of 32 campaign vehicles at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, formerly known as Liberty Stadium, in Oke Ado, Ibadan.
“All our LCDAs and LGs will have autonomy on the day we are sworn in on May 29, 2027,” he said.
The APC governorship candidate expressed appreciation to the Grand Patron of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, for donating the vehicles to support the party’s campaign in the state.
“We are very grateful. We know all your efforts towards ensuring that President Bola Tinubu is re-elected in 2027. I want to assure you that we will make judicious use of these vehicles and other items that may be donated by you and other support groups,” Alli said.
He said APC was working hard to reclaim power in Oyo State in 2027.
“We have stayed out of government in Oyo State for too long, and we are working assiduously to ensure we take over the government in 2027.
“We want to assure you that not only are we going to get Mr President re-elected, we will also ensure that we elect all our National Assembly and state House of Assembly members,” he added.
Alli recalled that Oyo State recorded the highest number of votes for Tinubu in the South West during the 2023 presidential election, adding that the party was working to double the figure in 2027.
He urged eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and turn out early to vote for APC candidates in the presidential and governorship elections.
Earlier, Chief Kestin Pondi, who represented Tompolo, said the movement donated the 32 vehicles to mobilise support for Tinubu and other APC candidates in Oyo State.
Pondi said the group was committed to supporting Tinubu’s re-election.
He described the president’s economic reforms as necessary measures to move the country forward and secure a better future for younger generations.
“We will vote for President Tinubu to continue his reforms.
“Reforms are never easy in the beginning. That is what we are all experiencing now. But we will enjoy later. We must pay the sacrifice today for our children to enjoy in the future,” Pondi added.
He urged residents to vote for Tinubu, Alli and other APC candidates, promising that the movement would intensify its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.
The National Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Comrade Sunday Adekanbi Asuku, also urged residents to mobilise voters at the grassroots and support Tinubu and Alli.
“The time has come to elect our leaders. Some people are ganging up against your son. Yoruba, ronu o,” he said.
Asuku urged eligible voters to collect their PVCs, visit their polling units on election day and encourage others to participate in the electoral process. He also called on supporters to embark on door-to-door campaigns to ensure victory for all APC candidates.
In his remarks, the APC chairman for Oyo Central Senatorial District, Dr. Joshua Oyebanji, who represented the party’s state chairman, Chief Moses Adeyemo, thanked Tompolo for the donation.
Oyebanji expressed confidence that the APC would win the 2027 elections at all levels, from the presidency to the governorship and legislative seats.
He said the party would soon commence full-scale campaigns and urged members to remain committed to its mobilisation efforts.
Also speaking, the Oyo State Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Akinjide Kazeem Akinola, expressed confidence that the state would deliver an even stronger electoral performance for Tinubu in 2027.
“Oyo State gave President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the highest vote in the South West in 2023. We will give the president the highest vote in Nigeria in 2027. Let us work hard to achieve this,” Akinola said.
