In politics, loyalty is often praised when convenient and criticized when it begins to produce rewards. That is why the ongoing conversations surrounding Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli and the support he enjoys from political leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) deserve a more balanced reflection.
Long before the current political calculations in Oyo State, Senator Alli had already built a reputation as one of the loyal foot soldiers of the progressive movement in the state. His political journey within the old Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which later transformed into the APC, has never been hidden from public scrutiny.
During the build-up to the historic 2011 governorship election in Oyo State, Alli was among the political figures who worked tirelessly for the emergence of late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi. That election changed the political landscape of Oyo State and marked the return of progressive politics after years of political instability. Many insiders within the ACN at the time acknowledged the sacrifices made by loyal party members who stood firmly behind Ajimobi’s ambition despite intense opposition.
Years later, in 2018, Senator Alli himself reportedly nursed the ambition to become governor of Oyo State ahead of the 2019 election. However, as the political atmosphere became increasingly tense and complicated, events took another turn. According to accounts from political associates, his political leader directed him to accompany the camp to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre at Iyaganku, Ibadan, for what would become a defining political moment.
Inside the walls of the NUJ Press Centre, the hand of the man who is today the incumbent governor of Oyo State was reportedly raised as the consensus governorship candidate. For many supporters of Alli, that moment was emotionally difficult. In Yoruba parlance, “Bi ara omo to fe hu eyin se maa n gbona,” meaning the pain of sacrifice is often deeply personal. Political observers noted that Senator Alli and many of his loyalists appeared visibly uncomfortable that day, yet they chose party unity over personal ambition.
What remains significant in this conversation is that Senator Alli never openly rebelled against the political direction of the progressive family, even after stepping down from his own ambition. Many of those criticizing him today were either silent during those difficult moments or absent from the trenches of the party’s struggles in 2011 and 2019.
This is why some APC supporters argue that there is nothing unusual about a loyal party member receiving support years later from the same political structure he once obeyed without resistance. Politics everywhere in the world often rewards consistency, loyalty, patience, and long-term relationship building.
Critics have recently questioned the role of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, popularly known as PBAT, in supporting loyal allies across the country. However, many within the progressive fold insist that Tinubu’s political philosophy has always centered around standing by individuals who remain committed to the structure, even during difficult periods.
Supporters of Senator Alli also point to what they describe as political irony. They argue that if party affiliations were different, the same individuals benefiting from consensus arrangements in the past would likely have openly endorsed him today without controversy.
The reality is that politics is built on timing, negotiation, compromise, and loyalty. Those who wait patiently for their opportunity often believe that their “time will come.” As the Yoruba saying goes, “Igba tiyin naa a de” — your own time will also come.
Interestingly, despite fierce political divisions in Oyo State, many neutral observers acknowledge Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s consistency within the progressive movement. Whether one agrees with his politics or not, his journey reflects the complicated nature of loyalty and sacrifice in Nigerian politics.
As political tensions continue to rise ahead of future contests in Oyo State, one lesson remains clear: yesterday’s sacrifice often becomes today’s controversy. In the end, as another Yoruba proverb says, “Ojo ni i soni da” — time eventually reveals and vindicates every story.
#OyoPolitics #SharafadeenAlli #APC #OyoState #IbadanPolitics #Tinubu #NigerianPolitics #Ajimobi #SeyiMakinde #2027Politics
0 Comments