A video showing Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, with a male student seated on his lap has drawn widespread criticism on social media.
Governorship candidate under fire over video of student on his lap
The footage was recorded at Alli’s campaign office in Mokola, Ibadan. It shows a young male student reading questions from his phone while sitting on the senator’s lap. Alli is seen stroking and patting the student’s thigh.
The student, identified as a representative of the Banking and Finance Students’ Association at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, asked an unemployment question. Alli replied, “You have to use what you have to get what you want, to leverage whatever we have in the state.”
Online reaction has been severe, with many users describing the arrangement as inappropriate and a serious power imbalance. Commenters questioned why an aide or other seated official did not vacate a chair for the student.
Alli’s campaign team issued a statement defending the incident. They said the office was heavily crowded and there were not enough seats for the student delegation.
The team said Alli spontaneously offered his lap so the student would not have to remain standing and the interview could proceed. They described the gesture as “fatherly” and rejected any sexual undertone.
“The backlash is a politically motivated attempt by detractors to distort the event and sexualise the video ahead of the 2027 governorship election,” the statement added.
The controversy has continued to grow. No formal complaint has been filed with the police. Neither the student nor the Polytechnic has issued an official response. The APC in Oyo State has not commented.
