Senator Sharafadeen Alli has strongly dismissed allegations linking him to the abduction of Mrs Olaide Adegoke, the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, describing the claims as a calculated attempt to damage his reputation and inflame political tensions in Oyo State.
The lawmaker, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District and recently emerged as the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Oyo State, issued the denial following social media reports that sought to associate him with the kidnapping incident.
Mrs Adegoke was kidnapped on the morning of June 3, 2026, while driving her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, to school in Ibadan. The attackers reportedly intercepted her vehicle in the Elewura area and took the trio hostage.
The victims were eventually rescued unharmed on Saturday, June 6, during a coordinated security operation carried out by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force’s Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team.
According to police reports, security personnel engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, neutralising two suspects and recovering firearms during the rescue mission.
Reacting to attempts to connect him to the crime, Alli, through a statement issued by his media office and published on his X handle on Sunday, described the allegations as “false, malicious, baseless, irresponsible, defamatory, and politically motivated.”
The statement noted that the reports lacked credibility and were allegedly built around unverified claims attributed to a suspect currently under investigation.
It further argued that efforts to associate the senator with the criminal act were unreasonable and unsupported by any credible evidence.
It added that it was “absurd and illogical” for anyone to attempt to link the lawmaker to criminal allegations based on unverified claims allegedly made by a suspect under investigation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Alli has no connection whatsoever with the said criminal incident, the individuals mentioned, or any activity related to kidnapping or violence,” the statement read.
The senator’s media office also accused political opponents of exploiting the situation in an attempt to discredit him, particularly through references to campaign materials allegedly connected to the suspects.
According to the statement, efforts to tie campaign posters, stickers or political branding to criminal activity formed part of a broader smear campaign against the APC governorship candidate.
“We note with concern that even the report itself admitted that no security agency has established any link between Senator Alli and the alleged crime.
“It is therefore disturbing that faceless propagandists would deliberately weaponise unconfirmed claims to mislead the public and heat up the polity,” the statement said.
The lawmaker reiterated his opposition to kidnapping and other violent crimes, stressing that he has consistently supported initiatives aimed at strengthening security and protecting lives and property across Oyo State and the country.
The statement urged residents to disregard the allegations and refrain from spreading information capable of undermining ongoing investigations or creating unnecessary political tension.
It also called on security agencies to trace the origin of the claims and prosecute individuals responsible for circulating what it described as false information and political blackmail.
Despite the controversy, the statement maintained that Senator Alli remains committed to his legislative responsibilities and his broader political agenda for the development of Oyo State.
The incident has attracted widespread attention in the state, coming against the backdrop of growing political rivalry within the APC following the recent governorship primary in which Alli secured the party’s ticket ahead of Adelabu.
(Ripples)
