AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has pledged to grant autonomy to local governments (LGs) and local council development areas (LCDAs) from May 29, 2027, if elected governor.
Alli made the pledge on Thursday at the inauguration of the Oyo State chapter of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, where 32 campaign vehicles were donated to support the APC’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The event took place at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, formerly known as Liberty Stadium, in Ibadan.
“All our LCDAs and LGs will have autonomy on the day we are sworn in on May 29, 2027,” Alli said.
The APC candidate thanked Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, the movement’s grand patron, for donating the vehicles.
He pledged that the vehicles and other campaign materials would be used to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and other APC candidates.
Alli said the APC was working to regain control of Oyo State in 2027, adding that the party hoped to secure victories in the presidential, governorship and legislative elections.
He also recalled that Oyo State recorded the highest number of votes for Tinubu among South-West states in the 2023 presidential election, expressing confidence that the APC could improve on its performance in 2027.
Speaking on behalf of Tompolo, Chief Kestin Pondi said the 32 vehicles were intended to strengthen grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu and other APC candidates.
He expressed support for the president’s economic reforms, describing the difficulties associated with reforms as sacrifices that could yield future benefits.
“We will vote for President Tinubu to continue his reforms,” Pondi said, urging residents to support the administration despite the economic challenges associated with its policies.
The National Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Comrade Sunday Adekanbi Asuku, called on supporters to mobilise voters at the grassroots and campaign for Tinubu and Alli.
He also urged eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the electoral process.
Similarly, the movement’s Oyo State Coordinator, Akinjide Kazeem Akinola, expressed confidence that the state would deliver more votes for Tinubu in 2027 than it did in 2023. He urged supporters to intensify their mobilisation efforts.
Dr Joshua Oyebanji, APC chairman for Oyo Central Senatorial District, who represented the party’s state chairman, Chief Moses Adeyemo, thanked Tompolo for the donation and expressed confidence that the party would win elections at all levels in 2027.
The event highlighted the APC’s early mobilisation efforts in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections.
