Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, has outlined a comprehensive reform agenda for the state. Speaking at a high-powered dialogue on the future of Oyo State organised by the Oyo Rising Citizens Forum (ORCF), Alli made several key promises. He vowed to grant full autonomy to Local Governments, reduce class sizes to 30 pupils per class, and provide a 13th-month salary for civil servants. These reforms aim to improve the state's education, health, and economic sectors.
A key aspect of Alli's reform agenda is the granting of full autonomy to Local Governments. He declared that, under his administration, local governments would become fully independent from May 29, 2027. This means that local governments would have control over their finances and be able to build their own schools, health centers, and employ their own workers. Alli emphasized that his administration would not spend one kobo belonging to local governments, marking a significant shift in the current system.
Alli's education reform plan includes reducing class sizes to a maximum of 30 pupils per class. This policy aims to improve learning outcomes and create thousands of jobs for teachers and fresh graduates. Additionally, he pledged to comply with UNESCO's recommendation to allocate at least 18 percent of the state budget to education. He also plans to train and retrain teachers and employ more staff to bridge the deficit in the education sector.
The Senator also made significant promises in the health sector. He vowed to establish a functional general hospital in each of the 33 local governments and at least one fully equipped primary healthcare center in each of the 351 wards in the state. As a sign of commitment, he announced that he would personally facilitate and commission at least three fully equipped health centers across the Oyo South Senatorial District and hand them over to the state government before the election.
Alli also addressed the controversial circular road project, promising decisive action within 72 hours of assuming office. He assured that he would set up a committee to address the grievances of all affected residents, adding that his administration would not seize people's land or sell state assets. This move aims to provide relief to residents affected by the project.
To revive the economy, Alli's government plans to leverage agriculture and mining. He aims to establish at least one cottage industry in each Local Government Area and set up parabolic dryers in all seven towns in Ibarapa and two in each senatorial district before December. Additionally, he plans to revive the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), engage youths through vocational and political opportunities, and empower women with key appointments.
Alli's reform agenda also includes ensuring prompt payment of salaries, pensions, and gratuities. He made these promises during an interactive session with participants, who drilled him on various issues, including energy supply, alleged sale of state properties, and welfare for doctors. Alli responded with detailed policy proposals, demonstrating his commitment to addressing the state's challenges.
Key points
- Senator Sharafadeen Alli promises to grant full autonomy to Local Governments in Oyo State.
- Alli vows to reduce class sizes to 30 pupils per class and allocate 18% of the state budget to education.
- He promises a 13th-month salary for civil servants and a functional general hospital in each of the 33 local governments.
