2027: Oke-Ogun Erupts, Rejects Sharafadeen Alli’s Gov Ambition Over Outdated Power Shift Comments

The political atmosphere in Oyo State took a turbulent turn on Wednesday as stakeholders and socio-political groups in the Oke-Ogun region formally withdrew support for the 2027 governorship ambition of Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli.

​The Senator, who currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District, reportedly drew the ire of the region during a recent consultative visit to Saki. Sources present at the gathering alleged that Alli dismissed the region’s long-standing clamour for a power shift, asserting that 2027 “is not the turn of Oke-Ogun” and suggesting that such aspirations should be shelved until after his potential tenure.

​The backlash was instantaneous. A prominent socio-political pressure group, Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa, issued a scathing rebuttal, describing the Senator’s remarks as “exclusionary” and “dismissive” of the region’s contribution to the state’s political landscape.

​In a statement released following a peaceful protest in Saki, the group declared that the 2027 governorship must reflect fairness, equity, and balanced representation. The leadership insisted that they will not support any candidate from the Ibadan extraction in the next election cycle, emphasizing that the seat must go to a candidate outside the capital to ensure a sense of belonging for all zones.

​For decades, the Oke-Ogun zone—often referred to as the “food basket” of the state—has agitated for the Agodi Government House, arguing that the concentration of power within Ibadan undermines the principle of rotational governance.

​The recent rejection of Senator Alli signifies a hardening of positions within the zone. Local leaders emphasized that any candidate seeking their massive voting bloc must be prepared to respect their timeline for leadership.

​Political analysts suggest that this development may force a realignment of forces within the major political parties. While Ibadan holds the largest voting population, the “outside Ibadan” sentiment is gaining significant momentum in the Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun axes.

​With Governor Seyi Makinde’s term winding down, the battle for succession is increasingly being framed as a contest between traditional power structures and the demand for zonal inclusion. As of the time of filing this report, Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s media team has yet to issue an official clarification on the comments made in Saki, but the message from the North of Oyo remains resonant: the region will only back an “outside Ibadan” candidate in the 2027 polls.