It’s Not Yet Time for Zones Outside Ibadan to Produce Governor — Alli Declares

A frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has spoken on the ongoing debate over zoning arrangements ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election, saying that although calls for power rotation to Oke-Ogun are understandable, the political reality may not favour it at this time.

Alli made the remarks while addressing stakeholders during a political engagement in Ogbomoso, where he engaged party members and community leaders on his governorship ambition.

According to him, various interest groups across the state have been advocating for the governorship to be zoned to different geopolitical zones, including Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa, but he argued that such expectations may not align with the current political dynamics.

“In all honesty, many have argued that the governorship should be zoned to Oke-Ogun…but I won’t lie, it may not work this time,” he said.

The senator, however, stressed that political decisions around zoning would ultimately require broad consultation and consensus among stakeholders across the state’s three senatorial districts.

He noted that if considerations for zoning were to be seriously implemented across Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, and Ibadan, it would still require deliberate negotiation and agreement on how such arrangements would be structured.

“If we want to pick a person that comes from Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, or Ogbomoso, and an Ibadan man will be governor, then we will sit down to discuss how it will go,” he added.

Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, also used the occasion to appeal for support for his governorship ambition, describing himself as a son of the state committed to its development.

“I want to beg you all to stay with me. You will not suffer if you support my ambition to be governor. I am your son,” he said.

His remarks come amid early political realignments and zoning debates within Oyo State’s political space as aspirants begin consultations ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Senator Alli is expected to formally declare his intention to contest for governor on April 17.