The appointment of Senator Sharafadeen Alli of Oyo South District as Senate Committee Chairman on Independent National Electoral Commission has been described by some leading personalities as putting round peg in a round hole.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the names of the newly appointed committee chairmen at the red chamber of the National Assembly on Monday.
Alli, who is the Maye Balogun of Ibadanland, was also made the Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs.
A statement signed by his Media Aide, Mr Akeem Abas, made available to journalists on Wednesday, listed those who congratulated Alli to include the Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Olayide Abass; the Oyo South Senatorial Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Mojeed Olaoya; and the former Chairman, National Lottery Commission, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle.
Also included are Dr. Tunji Olanipekun, Chief Olalekan Alli, former Secretary to the Oyo State Government; Prof. Gbade Ojo, former Chief of Staff to late Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Prof. Rasheed Aderinoye, Kehinde Subair, Mr Shina Alabi, Mr Laide Oladeji, Alhaji Abdulkabir Lawal, Fatai Salau and Sunday Ewebiyi.
The Deputy Chairman of APC in the state described his appointment as deserving, saying, “May Allah endow you with all you need to deliver creditably in those capacities. Congrats as you have my very best wishes and sincere regards.”
Mr Toye Ojewunmi, a friend to the senator, expressed confidence that Alli would make remarkable impacts on the new assignments going by his track records of performance.
Mr Ademola Omotoso, former Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government Council Area of Oyo State, described the appointment as a great recognition and uncommon feat for a first term Senator.
“This speaks volumes about the man, his ability and character. You are, indeed, a pride of Ibadan and by extension that of Ibadan North. I pray that this shall be the beginning of greater things ahead. I wish you the very best in the new assignment,” he said.
Prof. Ishaq Omotosho of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, prayed that God should endow him with grace to perform excellently just as Alhaja Fatimo Adenekan, the senator’s aunt, expressed confidence that he would deliver on the assignment.
Mr Bolaji Abiodun from Ido Local Government Council Area, said, “This new assignment proves that you are worthy of being at the top of the charts; the head of the class, the front of the line and the best of the best.
Isaac Akintola, a former Surveyor-General in Oyo State, said that “We appreciate his ingenuity, purposefulness and result-driven virtues which earned him the new assignment.”
Alex Akintayo from Houston, Texas in the United States of America prayed that “May the Lord give you wisdom and strength to perform the assignment.”
Chief Ademola Babalola, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State Council, expressed optimism about Alli’s capabilities to perform creditably considering his experience and track record.
Also, the G4 group in Ireland, represented by Alhaji Abiola Salmon and Dauda Ismail, who represented BSA Support Group in Canada, congratulated Alli on his new appointment.
