‘Disgusting, Unprofessional’ — Netizens Slam Oyo APC Guber Candidate For Lapping, Caressing Student
Nigerians have taken to social media to condemn the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, after a video showing him with a young male student sitting on his lap during an interview surfaced online.
The video, which has gone viral on X, has sparked criticism from users who described the interaction as inappropriate, unprofessional and unbecoming of a governorship candidate.
In the video seen by NAIJAONPOINT, Alli, dressed in a blue fez cap bearing the APC logo and President Bola Tinubu’s infinity logo, was seen with him seated on his lap.
Trending Video of Oyo State APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, lapping and caressing a young male journalist during an interview that has got people talking. pic.twitter.com/2x84AE9YQK
— Trending Explained (@TrendingEx) September 2, 2026
The senator was also seen placing his right hand on the student’s lap and repeatedly moving it up and down in what appeared to be a caressing motion.
The student, said to be from the Banking and Finance Department of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, appeared uncomfortable as the interaction took place.
Alli was heard saying, “You have to use what you have to get what you want, to leverage on whatever may be happening in the state.”
The circumstances surrounding the unusual seating arrangement were not immediately clear from the video.
However, the footage has triggered widespread reactions, with some Nigerians questioning the conduct of both men and others focusing on what they described as the lack of decorum in the interaction.
An X user, @Suleiman__SKR, wrote: “This one no be interview again. When a governorship candidate dey lap journalist and rub am for camera, the story don already finish before the first question. Oyo people, una see the energy.”
@Kulseun said the statement made by Alli reminded the user that such comments were not limited to interactions involving women.
“I use to think say na women dey suffer this statement ‘you have to use what you have to get what you want.’ Chai,” the user wrote.
Describing the scene as inappropriate, @HakunaMapunta wrote: “This is unprofessionalism by both parties. Ewwww.”
@Seunibk01 also questioned whether public standards of conduct were being lowered.
The user wrote: “When conduct that would ordinarily be considered unusually intimate or undignified is displayed publicly, citizens are entitled to ask whether our standards of public decorum are being lowered. So, @SenSharafaAlli what’s the motivation behind this?”
Another user, @MrPeter01, described the video as “disgusting to watch” while also criticising the journalist.
@Aabullet questioned why the journalist was seated on the senator’s lap in the first place, asking whether there was no available seat or whether the arrangement was connected to his professional duties.
Similarly, @DaRealest9ja wrote: “Not only is the senator suspicious, the man sitting on his lap is too.”
@Joshuaawenode described the scene as “so wrong in every aspect,” while @OgbuehiUdo questioned the senator’s hand placement, asking: “Even if he’s not lapping him, then why is he rubbing his lap?”
Drawing attention to the student’s apparent discomfort, @FoodChooperoy2 wrote: “See his hand, he’s obviously not comfortable with the situation at all. Y’all should always read inbtw the lines.”
Another user, @EChock101, also questioned the unusual interaction, writing: “How would you carry a grown up man on your lap like say na Burna papa carry Burna?”
The reactions come amid preparations for the 2027 Oyo State governorship election, which Alli is contesting as APC’s flagbearer.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
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