Oyo State All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate for the 2027 election, Senator (Dr.) Sharafadeen Alli, has vowed to protect and restore the state’s farm settlements established by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Ladoke Akintola.
Alli, who expressed concern over recent developments surrounding the farm settlements, said the facilities remained strategic agricultural assets that must not be sacrificed for short-term financial gains.
He said he was aware of the present administration’s promise to transform farm settlements across the state into agricultural hubs but expressed concern over what he described as disturbing developments surrounding some of the settlements.
According to him, a loan of over N7 billion, initially secured by the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi for the purchase of tractors, was allegedly diverted by the present government towards the upgrading of the farm settlements into agricultural hubs.
Alli further alleged that the 4,000-hectare Eruwa Farm Settlement was handed over to investors almost two years ago, but that the investors had yet to commence any meaningful development on the land.
He stressed that the Eruwa Farm Waterworks, a legacy of Awolowo located within the settlement, had enormous agricultural potential, noting that its rehabilitation could provide water for communities across Ibarapa and facilitate dry-season farming.
The APC candidate also called for the revival of the large cashew plantation at New Eruwa the Ibarapa East Local Government Area, saying the plantation could contribute significantly to the state’s agricultural development if it were East Local Government Area, saying the plantation could contribute significantly to the state’s agricultural development if properly rehabilitated and managed.
Alli said he was equally concerned about recent developments in Saki West and Ogbomoso, where communities had reportedly appealed to the government to reconsider alleged plans to hand over government-owned land reserved for agricultural purposes to private investors and developers.
He said reports that the Ministry of Agriculture had allegedly issued a notice directing farm settlers in Ogbomoso to vacate the land before Dec. 30, 2026, were particularly disturbing.
“I am seriously opposed to a situation where government would see land meant for agricultural purposes as an avenue to make quick money, either through direct sales of such government land or through controversial PPP arrangements,” Alli said.
He maintained that the farm settlements and agricultural lands were legacies bequeathed by the state’s past leaders for clearly defined purposes, stressing that the reasons for their establishment remained relevant despite changing times.
According to him, each farm settlement was conceived around the comparative advantages of its location, making it imperative for successive governments to preserve and develop them rather than convert them to unrelated purposes.
“All these farm settlements and parcels of land are legacies bequeathed to us by our heroes past. Agriculture remains a veritable source of providing food and jobs for our people, and we must guard these legacies jealously for ourselves and future generations,” he said.
Alli promised that when elected governor in 2027, his administration would immediately review the status of all farm settlements and agricultural lands in the state, with a view to restoring government control and returning them to their original purposes.
He said his administration would ensure that the agricultural vision of Awolowo and Akintola, whom he described as great leaders and visionaries, particularly the late Akintola as an illustrious son of Oyo State, was preserved.
The APC candidate also assured residents that his administration would ensure broad stakeholder participation in decisions concerning public assets, stressing that no common asset would be disposed of or repurposed without adequate consultation.
Alli appealed to the present administration to listen to the concerns of communities in Saki and Ogbomoso, particularly if there were plans to hand over the Veterinary Land in Saki and Ogbomoso Farm Settlements to private investors.
He said government should respect the position of host communities, especially where residents had clearly expressed opposition to such plans, insisting that responsible governance required listening to the people directly affected by government decisions.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
