A viral video featuring the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Oyo State in the 2027 election, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has ignited widespread criticism across Nigerian social media platforms, raising public debate over political decorum and professionalism.
The footage currently making the rounds online captures an interview session involving students. In the clip, a young male student journalist is seen sitting directly on Senator Alli’s lap.
Public discomfort intensified as the video showed the politician repeatedly rubbing and caressing the young man’s thigh while the conversation continued.
Observers noted the visible discomfort on the student’s face during the encounter.
The video, which has gained massive traction on popular blogs and social media pages including Instablog9ja on Facebook and Instagram, as well as X accounts, has drawn widespread condemnation from citizens, civil society voices, and political observers.
Many online commentators have described the interaction as “highly inappropriate,” “unprofessional,” and “deeply uncomfortable to watch.”
Some users explicitly labeled the act as a form of harassment rather than a lighthearted moment.
A smaller segment of online defenders however argued that the act may have been a joke, a prank, or due to a lack of seating space.
However, this narrative has done little to calm the brewing public outrage.
As the video continues to trend heavily online, political analysts note that the incident could impact public perception ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
At the time of this report, Senator Sharafadeen Alli and the Oyo State APC leadership have not released an official response to the viral footage.