No More Overcrowded Classrooms, Rising Insecurity — Alli Makes Bold Promise

…As APC candidate unveils plans to tackle crime, create jobs and transform public schools across the state

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has pledged to improve security and reposition the education sector through wide-ranging reforms if elected in the 2027 governorship election.

Senator Alli made the promises during a programme tagged “A Day With BSA” held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

On security, the Oyo South senator said his administration would empower local governments to recruit vigilantes and neighbourhood watch personnel to complement conventional security agencies.

He noted that the initiative would not only improve security but also create employment opportunities for young people across the state.

The lawmaker criticised the current administration for allegedly ignoring security warnings raised in 2022 over the presence of suspicious persons in some communities, adding that one of the affected communities later experienced the abduction of schoolchildren.

The APC governorship candidate also promised to deploy technology to strengthen security through the installation of surveillance cameras, drones and a central monitoring centre capable of providing real-time intelligence to security agencies for rapid response to criminal activities.

Alli further expressed support for the proposed State Police, saying its implementation would strengthen security architecture across the country.

He added that his administration would establish a biometric registration system for all residents to enhance identification, crime prevention and public safety.

On education, Senator Alli promised to reduce overcrowding in classrooms by ensuring that no class in public primary and secondary schools accommodates more than 30 pupils.

He said the policy would improve the teacher-to-pupil ratio and enhance the quality of learning across the state.

The APC candidate also pledged to increase government subventions to primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, rehabilitate public school infrastructure across the 33 local government areas and improve the welfare of teachers.

He further promised to abolish the consultancy system in state-owned tertiary institutions, describing it as wasteful, while ensuring governing boards operate independently to promote accountability and institutional development.

To support basic education, Alli said his administration would provide free writing materials to pupils from primary to junior secondary schools to encourage enrolment, reduce dropout rates and ease the financial burden on parents.

Speaking on the outcome of the APC governorship primary, the lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to reconciling with other aspirants, saying efforts were already underway to unite members of the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

He expressed confidence that a united APC would reclaim power in Oyo State.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Mr. Akeem Abas, said the union remains committed to providing a non-partisan platform for political parties and stakeholders to present their programmes and engage the public, irrespective of political affiliation.