Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has taken a swipe at the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the state, Sharafadeen Alli, over a viral video showing a young man sitting on the senator’s lap.
Makinde made the remark while speaking about the political choices ahead of Oyo residents as the state prepares for the 2027 governorship election.
The governor, who did not directly mention Alli’s name, appeared to make reference to the viral video while urging residents to be careful about who they support at the polls.
“If you like, vote for those people lapping each other, that’s where your problem will start; they will first forget you. You better vote for who we said you should vote for,” Makinde said.
The video involving Alli recently attracted widespread reactions on social media, with many users commenting on the unusual interaction.
Alli’s camp had reportedly explained that the incident occurred during an engagement with some young people who had visited the senator for an interview and to invite him to an event.
According to the explanation, there were not enough chairs at the venue, prompting one of the visitors to sit on Alli’s lap. The camp described the gesture as an unplanned and fatherly moment.
Makinde’s comment has since added a political dimension to the controversy, coming as the two major parties begin to intensify their campaigns ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
Alli, a serving senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, is seeking to unseat the PDP-backed candidate and take control of the state for the APC.