‘Don’t Sexualise a Fatherly Act’: Oyo APC Frontrunner Sharafadeen Alli Explains Viral ‘Lap’ Video
The frontline All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, has hit back at critics after a video of him carrying a male student journalist on his lap sparked a massive social media storm.
The viral footage, which shows a young man sitting on the politician’s lap during an interview while Alli appears to gently tap or rub his leg, quickly ignited intense debate online.
Many netizens questioned why a professional media interview had transformed into what some labeled a compromising or highly unusual interaction.
‘A Spontaneous, Fatherly Gesture’
Responding to the heavy public backlash, Alli’s campaign team firmly dismissed allegations of questionable conduct. They fiercely condemned what they termed a politically motivated attempt to sexualise a simple act of kindness.
According to the official statement, a delegation of students from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, had visited the APC stalwart to secure support for an upcoming campus programme and conduct a brief interview. Because the venue was severely overcrowded with limited seating,
Alli offered his lap to the student journalist so the interview could proceed without delay.
The campaign team described the interaction as entirely “spontaneous” and “fatherly,” rejecting any undercurrent of inappropriate behavior.
Focus on the 2027 Election
The candidate’s media team urged the public and press to watch the footage in its complete context rather than relying on sensationalised, isolated clips.
With the political atmosphere heating up ahead of the 2027 Oyo State gubernatorial election, Alli’s camp called for a shift in public discourse. They insisted that the conversation should center on critical governance issues—such as competence, regional development, and the welfare of Oyo residents—rather than internet controversy.
