Sharafadeen Alli on Thursday formally received the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, nomination form as the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate for the 2027 general election in Oyo State.

At the event, the senator also unveiled Michael Adedeji as his running mate for the election.

Adedeji, 46, is an Economics graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University and hails from Iwo-Ate in Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Oyo State APC Chairman and former deputy governor, Moses Alake Adeyemo, called on party members to remain united and work collectively toward reclaiming power in the 2027 governorship election.

Adeyemo stressed that the APC stood a better chance of advancing the state’s development while in government and appealed to aggrieved members to put aside their differences in the interest of the party.

“By the grace of God, come May 29, 2027, our governor and deputy governor will be Senator Sharafadeen Alli and Adesoji Adedeji. I plead with us in the name of the Lord to come together,” he said.

Presenting the INEC nomination form to Alli, the APC Deputy National Auditor, Gbenga Olayemi, described the governorship candidate as a symbol of the party’s collective aspiration rather than an individual contestant.

“You will recall that I presented the nomination forms to National Assembly candidates on Monday. Senator Alli is not just our governorship candidate; he is our flag bearer. Every APC member in Oyo State is a governorship candidate,” Olayemi stated.

In his acceptance speech, Alli described his emergence as the APC candidate as a shared victory for all members of the party and pledged to govern with fairness, accountability and inclusiveness if elected.

He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee, party leaders in Oyo State, security agencies and party faithful for their support throughout the primary process.

The senator also acknowledged the contributions of other aspirants and appealed to them and their supporters to rally behind the APC ahead of the governorship poll.

According to him, the mission of reclaiming Oyo State requires unity, sacrifice and collective commitment from all party members.

“Our people are yearning for leadership that listens, unites and understands their pains. They deserve a government that works for everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, social class or geopolitical zone,” Alli said.

He outlined plans to prioritise agriculture, youth empowerment, education, healthcare, infrastructure development, environmental protection and inclusive economic growth if elected governor.

Alli further pledged to align his administration with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu through policies anchored on justice, fairness, accountability and service delivery.

“I will remain accessible, accountable and a good listener. I will never take the trust of the people for granted. Let us reject division, embrace unity and work together to restore the true Pacesetter glory of Oyo State,” he added.

In his remarks, Adedeji thanked the APC leadership for the confidence reposed in him and expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the 2027 governorship election.

The event was attended by members of the APC State Working Committee led by Adeyemo, National Assembly and State Assembly candidates, party leaders and stakeholders, including Ayo Adeseun, Hosea Agboola, Femi Lanlehin, Fatai Ibikunle, Timothy Jolaoso and Olayide Abbas, among others.

The Plateau Bloggers and Online Media Association (PLABOMA) hosted an impactful 2026 World Social Media Day celebration in Jos, bringing together key stakeholders, media professionals, content creators, students and digital enthusiasts to promote innovation, creativity and responsible use of social media.

The event was held at Usiju World Event Center, under the theme “Digital Voices: Innovation, Creativity and Youth Engagement,” served as a platform for meaningful conversations on the growing influence of digital media, while highlighting the role of young people in driving innovation, collaboration and positive social change through online platforms.

Speaking during the event, Chairman of PLABOMA, Chief Matthew Oyerinde Tegha, has said social media has evolved beyond a communication tool to become a major driver of economic growth, innovation, job creation and civic engagement.

He said bloggers and content creators have a critical role to play in reshaping the narrative about Plateau State, urging them to use their digital platforms to promote the state’s tourism potential, cultural heritage, entrepreneurial successes and investment opportunities rather than allowing negative stories to dominate public discourse.

Tegha also called on the Plateau State Government, peace builders, entrepreneurs and business owners to work closely with bloggers and content creators in promoting Plateau’s tourism potential, cultural heritage and investment opportunities, saying such partnerships would help reshape the state’s image and drive development.

The keynote speaker and Plateau State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs. Kaneng Pam Hworo, challenged young people to use their digital voices as instruments for innovation, creativity and nation-building rather than spreading harmful content.

Speaking on the theme, “Digital Voices: Innovation, Creativity and Youth Engagement,” Hworo said social media has evolved beyond a communication platform into a powerful tool capable of shaping public opinion, mobilising communities and influencing national development. She noted that every post, video, podcast or livestream carries the potential to make a positive impact.

According to her, every smartphone has become a powerful platform, while every content creator has the capacity to serve as an agent of positive change. She urged youths to leverage their digital influence responsibly by promoting truth, creativity, innovation and values that contribute to the growth of their communities and the nation.

Also speaking, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Plateau State Governor, Dr. Gyang Bere, urged bloggers and content creators to use their digital platforms to promote peace, unity and responsible journalism, stressing that citizen journalism comes with the responsibility of protecting national security and fostering social cohesion.

He called on digital media practitioners to project Plateau State’s positive stories, including its development strides, tourism potential and resilient people, assuring them of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s continued support for the media in advancing responsible digital communication and sustainable development.

Member of the PLABOMA Board of Trustees, Mr. Yakubu Taddy, cautioned social media users against irresponsible online activities, warning that what people post on digital platforms could have lasting consequences on their personal and professional lives. He urged content creators to be mindful of the information they share online.

Taddy also called for stronger collaboration among media and social media organisations to promote fact-checking and responsible journalism, encouraging bloggers and digital publishers to verify information before publication in order to curb the spread of misinformation.

A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of PLABOMA’s Unified Bloggers Website, a first-of-its-kind platform designed to connect over 30 active bloggers, strengthen collaboration and boost the visibility of digital journalism in Plateau State.

Stakeholders at the event commended PLABOMA for launching its Unified Bloggers Website: https://plaboma.com/ , describing the initiative as a major step towards strengthening collaboration among online publishers and promoting credible digital journalism in Plateau State.

They, however, urged the association to expand the platform’s focus by promoting Plateau State’s rich tourism destinations, cultural heritage and investment opportunities, noting that consistent positive storytelling would help reshape the state’s image and attract more visitors and investors.

The Secretary of the Plateau Bloggers and Online Media Association (PLABOMA), Mr. Ibrahim Kallamu, said social media has evolved into a powerful tool for communication, business, education, news dissemination and civic engagement, urging participants to leverage digital platforms responsibly to create opportunities, promote innovation and contribute to societal development.

Popular content creator and comedian, Mr. Sunday Agbaji, popularly known as Hilarious Sunnie, highlighted the transformative power of digital media, sharing his journey in content creation and encouraging young people to embrace creativity, consistency and originality. He noted that impactful digital content has the potential to educate, inspire, entertain and create sustainable economic opportunities.

Delivering his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), Dr. Jim Pam Wayas, urged young people and content creators to take advantage of the enormous economic opportunities offered by social media, stressing that impactful storytelling and content creation can be monetised to generate sustainable income while promoting positive narratives about Plateau State and Nigeria.

Representing the Director-General of the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency, Dr. Julie Sanda, Mr. Kenneth Dakop, Team Lead, Strategic Communication, commended PLABOMA for promoting peace and positive narratives through digital media, describing the association as a strategic partner in advancing social cohesion and assuring it of the agency’s continued support in building a peaceful and united Plateau State.

Representing the Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Maj. Gen. EF Oyinlola, Capt. CP Oteh commended PLABOMA for promoting responsible digital journalism and urged bloggers and content creators to use their platforms to support security efforts, promote peacebuilding and foster unity by sharing verified information and positive narratives about Plateau State.

The event ended with the presentation of awards to outstanding individuals and organisations, including PLASMIDA, PLASCHEMA, NUJ Chairman Mrs. Ayuku Pwaspo, Media Icon, the Plateau State Ministry of Information, Youth Engagement and Impact, and Godwin Okoko, in recognition of their effective use of social media to promote public engagement, innovation and community development.