Fresh controversy has emerged within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following reports that concerned party youths have submitted a petition to the party’s National Screening Committee questioning the eligibility of Senator Sharafadeen Alli to contest for the governorship position.
The petition, which has already generated intense political conversations across Oyo State, reportedly argues that Sharafadeen Alli now holds a traditional title associated with royalty and should therefore not be eligible to participate in partisan politics as a governorship aspirant.
The development has added another dramatic twist to the growing political permutations ahead of the next governorship race in Oyo State, where several influential politicians are already positioning themselves for power.
According to political stakeholders familiar with the situation, the petition allegedly centers on claims that Alli now occupies the status of an “Oba” or traditional ruler within a recognized traditional institution. The concerned APC youths reportedly urged the party’s National Screening Committee to critically examine whether such a status conflicts with constitutional expectations and political participation rules guiding elective offices in Nigeria.
Although details surrounding the legal interpretation of the petition remain unclear, the controversy has already sparked heated debate among party loyalists, legal analysts, and political observers across the state.
Supporters of the petition insist that traditional rulers are expected to remain politically neutral and non-partisan because of their cultural and custodial responsibilities within their communities. They argue that allowing anyone occupying such a royal status to actively seek partisan political office could create ethical and constitutional concerns.
Others, however, believe the issue may ultimately depend on the exact nature of the title, its legal recognition, and whether it officially places the holder within the category of a traditional ruler as defined under Nigerian law and customary institutions.
Senator Sharafadeen Alli remains one of the most influential political figures in Oyo APC politics. Over the years, he has built a strong political network in Ibadan and beyond, maintaining relevance across different political administrations and election cycles. His supporters view him as one of the strongest opposition figures capable of challenging the dominance of Governor Seyi Makinde and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State.
The latest controversy is therefore being interpreted by some political observers as more than just a constitutional debate. Many believe it also reflects the intense internal power struggle already unfolding within the APC as aspirants and political blocs battle quietly for control of the party structure ahead of future primaries.
In Nigerian politics, petitions submitted during screening processes are not unusual. Political rivals and pressure groups often use legal, constitutional, and procedural arguments to challenge opponents before elections. In many cases, such petitions become strategic political weapons aimed at weakening perceived frontrunners before party primaries even begin.
The situation in Oyo APC appears to be no different.
Political analysts say the controversy could further deepen existing divisions within the party if not carefully managed by the national leadership. The APC in Oyo State has faced internal disagreements in previous election cycles, and stakeholders fear that unresolved conflicts could affect the party’s chances in future elections.
Meanwhile, supporters of Alli have reportedly dismissed the petition as a politically motivated attempt to frustrate his ambition and reduce his growing influence within the party. Some loyalists insist that the allegations lack constitutional substance and are merely designed to create unnecessary public controversy around his candidacy.
As discussions continue, many party members are now waiting to see how the APC National Screening Committee will respond to the petition and whether the matter will escalate into a larger legal or political battle.
The controversy has also dominated conversations across Ibadan political circles and social media platforms, with many residents divided over whether traditional institutions and active partisan politics should ever intersect.
For now, one thing is certain: the battle for Oyo’s political future is already heating up long before campaign season officially begins.
And with petitions, power struggles, and internal rivalries already surfacing, the road to the Oyo governorship race may become far more dramatic than many initially expected.
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