NewsMaximum has examined the circumstances surrounding a trending video showing a male student sitting on the lap of Oyo State senator and APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, while conducting what appeared to be an interview.
In the viral footage, the student, dressed in a suit, is seen reading questions from a mobile phone while sitting on Alli’s lap. The senator is also seen repeatedly moving his hand over the student’s thigh, an interaction that has generated widespread reactions online. 9News Nigeria report
One of the questions concerned unemployment and what Alli would do to address it if elected governor. During his response, the senator spoke about people using what they have to achieve what they want and leveraging available resources.
Although early reports and social media posts described the young man as a journalist, subsequent reports identified him as a student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Intel Region reported that the interview involved Banking and Finance students, while 9News Nigeria reported that he was part of a delegation from the department. Intel Region report
Alli’s campaign organisation said the students had visited him to seek support for one of their programmes and conduct an interview. It explained that there were not enough seats for everyone and that Alli asked the student to sit on his lap so the interview could continue. Alli campaign statement
The campaign described the action as a spontaneous “fatherly gesture” and rejected any sexual or inappropriate interpretation of the encounter. The explanation has also been reported by 9News Nigeria. 9News Nigeria report
Despite the explanation, the video has continued to generate debate online over the unusual interaction between the senator and the student.
Watch the video on our social media channels.