The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, has denied any connection to the abduction of the sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons.
The denial followed the circulation of rumours on social media and other platforms linking the APC chieftain to the kidnapping incident that attracted widespread attention in Oyo State last week.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan, Alli described the allegations as false, misleading and politically motivated, insisting that he had no involvement whatsoever in the crime.
He also called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate both the kidnapping incident and the origin of the rumours linking him to the case.
The controversy emerged shortly after the successful rescue of Adelabu’s sister and her 12-year-old twin sons by the Nigeria Police Force.
The victims were kidnapped earlier in the week, sparking concern among residents and political stakeholders in Oyo State.
Their rescue was confirmed on Saturday night after police operatives reportedly raided a township apartment where the victims were being held following intelligence provided by informants.
The operation was widely welcomed by members of the public, who praised security agencies for securing the victims’ freedom without reported casualties.
However, shortly after news of the rescue broke, reports and social media posts began circulating, alleging that Alli had links to the abduction.
The allegations quickly gained attention in political circles, prompting the APC governorship aspirant to issue a public response.
In the statement, Alli strongly rejected the claims and described them as an attempt to damage his reputation and create political tension ahead of the 2027 governorship race in Oyo State.
According to him, there was no basis for the allegations and those behind the reports were deliberately spreading false information.
“We categorically describe the publication as irresponsible, defamatory, politically motivated and completely devoid of credibility,” the statement said.
The APC candidate urged members of the public not to believe or share the rumours, warning that the spread of unverified information could interfere with ongoing investigations and create unnecessary confusion.
“We urge members of the public to disregard the publication in its entirety and avoid spreading falsehood capable of undermining ongoing security investigations or causing unnecessary political tension,” he added.
Alli further called on law enforcement agencies to identify those responsible for originating and circulating the claims.
He argued that spreading false allegations in a sensitive criminal matter could distract investigators and create divisions among political actors in the state.
The politician maintained that attention should remain focused on ensuring justice for victims of kidnapping and supporting efforts to improve security rather than promoting baseless accusations.
The abduction of Adelabu’s sister and her twin sons has remained a major talking point in Oyo State since news of the incident became public.
Kidnapping for ransom has become one of the most pressing security concerns in many parts of Nigeria, affecting both ordinary citizens and prominent individuals.
Although Oyo State has generally experienced lower levels of insecurity compared to some northern states, incidents of kidnapping and armed attacks have increased concerns among residents in recent years.
Security agencies have continued efforts to dismantle criminal gangs operating within the state and neighbouring areas.
The rescue of Adelabu’s sister and her children was seen as a significant success for the police and reinforced calls for stronger intelligence gathering and collaboration between citizens and security agencies.
Oyo State is expected to witness intense political activity in the coming months as parties and aspirants begin positioning themselves for the 2027 governorship contest.
Alli is one of the notable figures expected to play a major role in the race. A former senator, he has remained active in the politics of the state and is regarded as one of the APC’s leading figures in Oyo.
On the other hand, Adelabu, a former Minister of Power and former governorship candidate, is also a prominent political figure in the state, making the kidnapping incident particularly sensitive.
However, security experts have repeatedly advised against drawing conclusions or making accusations before investigations are completed.
False information, they warn, can mislead the public, damage reputations and complicate the work of investigators.
For this reason, Alli’s call for a thorough investigation into both the kidnapping and the source of the rumours is likely to attract attention from political stakeholders and security agencies alike.
Meanwhile, residents and political leaders across the state have continued to express relief over the safe rescue of the victims while urging authorities to ensure that those responsible for the abduction are identified and prosecuted.
As investigations continue, the APC governorship aspirant insists that he has no connection to the crime and wants those behind the allegations exposed.