APC Campaign Team Explains Viral Video of Sharafadeen Alli and Polytechnic Student

The campaign organisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has explained the circumstances surrounding a viral video showing a student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, sitting on his lap.

According to the campaign team, the student and other members of the institution’s Department of Banking and Finance had visited Alli at his campaign office in Mokola, Ibadan, to invite him to their programme and conduct an interview. It said the number of visitors exceeded the available seating capacity, prompting Alli to ask one of the students to sit on his lap so the interview could continue.

The explanation followed widespread reactions to the footage, particularly after Alli was seen briefly touching the student’s lap. While some social media users interpreted the gesture differently, the campaign team dismissed suggestions of inappropriate conduct, describing the action as a spontaneous and fatherly gesture.

The team accused some online platforms of deliberately sexualising the interaction for political purposes and urged the public to disregard what it called misleading narratives. It also appealed to media organisations and social media users to exercise responsibility and avoid sensational reporting that could damage reputations.

The campaign organisation said the 2027 Oyo governorship election should focus on ideas, competence, development and the welfare of residents, rather than what it described as political blackmail.