The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has pledged to grant local governments (LGs) and local council development areas (LCDAs) autonomy from May 29, 2027, if elected.
Alli made the commitment on Thursday during the inauguration of the Oyo State chapter of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement and the presentation of 32 campaign vehicles to the party at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, formerly Liberty Stadium, in Oke Ado, Ibadan.
He declared that autonomy for the councils would take effect from the day he assumes office.
“All our LCDAs and LGs will have autonomy on the day we are sworn in on May 29, 2027,” Alli said.
The APC candidate also thanked Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, the Grand Patron of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, for donating the vehicles to support the party’s campaign activities in Oyo State.
Alli assured the group that the vehicles and other campaign materials would be deployed judiciously to mobilise support for APC candidates.
“We are very grateful. We know all your efforts towards ensuring that President Bola Tinubu is re-elected in 2027,” he said.
“We will make judicious use of these vehicles and other items that may be donated by you and other support groups.”
Alli said the APC was determined to return to power in Oyo State after spending several years in opposition.
He said the party would work not only to secure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election but also victory for its candidates contesting National Assembly and Oyo State House of Assembly seats.
“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,” he said.
The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly recalled that Oyo State recorded the highest number of votes for President Tinubu among the six South-West states during the 2023 presidential election.
He said the APC had set a target of surpassing that performance in the 2027 election.
Alli consequently urged eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote early for APC candidates during the presidential and governorship elections.
Representing Tompolo at the event, Kestin Pondi said the 32 vehicles were donated to strengthen grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu and other APC candidates in Oyo State.
Pondi reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to supporting Tinubu’s re-election, describing the president’s economic reforms as necessary steps towards repositioning the country and securing a better future for younger Nigerians.
“We will vote for President Tinubu to continue his reforms,” Pondi said.
He acknowledged the hardship associated with reforms but argued that their benefits would become evident over time.
“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,” he added.
Pondi urged Oyo residents to support Tinubu, Alli and other APC candidates, promising that the movement would intensify its grassroots mobilisation as the 2027 elections approach.
National Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Sunday Adekanbi Asuku, similarly urged residents to mobilise voters at the grassroots and support the APC candidates.
Asuku called on eligible voters to obtain their PVCs, visit their polling units on election day and encourage others to participate in the electoral process.
He also urged supporters to embark on door-to-door campaigns to build support for the party ahead of the elections.
The APC chairman for Oyo Central Senatorial District, Joshua Oyebanji, who represented the party’s state chairman, Moses Adeyemo, commended Tompolo for the donation.
Oyebanji expressed confidence that APC would win the 2027 elections across all levels in Oyo State, including the presidential, governorship and legislative contests.
He said the party would soon commence full-scale campaigns and urged members to remain committed to its mobilisation activities.
Oyo State Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Akinjide Kazeem Akinola, also expressed confidence that the state would deliver a stronger result 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.
