Grand Uncle

Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli’s Oyo AHEAD manifesto was unveiled 3rd November 2026 in Ibadan, Oyo state and is anchored on a seven-pillar development plan. What do I like about the manifesto ?. I appreciate that the manifesto graphic and lay out. I like that the problems for each sector/segment was stated and solutions were proffered. I also like the links to current federal government policies making a strong case for why the voters need Oyo state aligned with the center. On Autonomy for Local Governments: He talks about Direct monthly funding to all 33 councils, publishing allocations, revitalizing secretariats and improving local revenue systems. Any candidate that talks about true federalism earns my admiration at the very least. On Infrastructure: He talks about completing abandoned roads. Roads, Transportation and Mobility - commercial highway corridors, rural farm-to-market connector roads, and rail transit integration. He talks about establishing state electricity market/regulator and power for industrial/farm corridors, restoring piped water to 100 communities, rural electrification projects, improving drainage/waste management. On Healthcare: He talks about increasing General hospitals in the remaining six LGAs, employing more doctors/health workers, free care/insurance for infants, pregnant women and people 70years. Raise health-insurance enrolment (targets 500,000 in two years), mobile clinics, PHC upgrades. PPP diagnostic and emergency medical response centres strategically placed across all three Senatorial Districts On Education and Human Capital: He talks about cutting primary class sizes toward 30 pupils, recruit teachers, skills centres/apprenticeship focus, reduce out-of-school children ( about 674,000 in South-West, one of the highest in the region), he also emphasized on vocational skills which I believe is very important. He talks about transforming schools into hubs of STEM, digital literacy, and vocational innovation On the Economy, Investment & Jobs : He talks about a ₦10 billion Oyo Youth Fund (public recipient list), industrial parks, revive Oluyole Free Trade Zone, SME guarantee fund/single-digit loans for traders, digital hubs in five zones, prompt salaries/pensions (on the 25th) and 13th month. He talks about a Scholar2Job initiative where graduates are placed in jobs with employers. On Agriculture and Export / Solid Minerals: He plans to revive 9 farm settlements, insure 10,000 farmers, establish Oyo Export Council/produce board, higher budget share for agriculture, irrigation/processing. End rain-fed farming dependence with modern irrigation schemes, dam rehabilitation, and equipment rental pools, Strategic storage facilities, grain silos, and cold chains to stabilize food prices and guarantee state food security. On Security:He talks about strengthening Amotekun/community policing with technology (drones/CCTV), safer farm/highway corridors, Rapid response security infrastructure, inter-agency coordination, and modern communication networks for security outfits. Community-based early warning networks engaging traditional rulers, market leaders, and youth vigilantes. Finally he talks about data-driven governance. What I don’t like about the manifesto ? First off, why do we need to wait for full details of the manifesto at a later date after the official release of an official manifesto. That doesn’t show the seriousness of the team. These are the kind of things you see in Nigeria politics and you just shake your head. There is no talk about quick wins for low hanging fruits. I had expected that he itemize some policies to be achieved in his first 100 days or bills sent to the house of assembly. I felt he missed an opportunity to show he will be ready on day one.