The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo state, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has described Governor Seyi Makinde's presidential ambition in the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) as dead on arrival. According to a statement by the director media and publicity of Senator Sarafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation, Prince Bisi Oladele, Senator Alli made this remark in response to the commendation of President Bola Tinubu by Bauchi state governor, Senator Bala Mohammed.
Senator Alli pointed out that the commendation by Senator Mohammed has further exposed the emptiness of Governor Makinde's presidential project. He noted that for the pillar of Makinde's own political camp to be truthful in publicly acknowledging the achievements of the President spoke louder than all the contrived rhetoric coming from the Makinde presidential campaign. This has raised questions about the justification for Makinde asking Nigerians to replace the President.
Senator Alli added that the contradiction is glaring, with Governor Mohammed having the courage to acknowledge the truth rather than engaging in opposition for opposition's sake. He stressed that Mohammed's remarks confirm what millions of Nigerians can increasingly see - President Tinubu's reforms are producing results, strengthening the fiscal position of states and enabling governments at the subnational level to undertake development projects.
The APC governorship candidate noted that Governor Makinde's presidential campaign is collapsing under the weight of its own contradictions before the real contest has even begun. He maintained that Makinde's so-called presidential ambition appears less like a serious pathway to Aso Rock and more like a political bargaining chip designed to enhance his negotiating position in the unfolding 2027 political equation.
Senator Alli advised Makinde to concentrate on accounting for his stewardship in Oyo state and preparing for the transition of power in 2027, rather than using an improbable presidential project to distract the people from the issues confronting his administration. He noted that the people of Oyo State are more interested in his legacy, the state's debt profile, the condition of the local economy, infrastructure, education, healthcare and the welfare of workers.
The APC governorship candidate stressed that Governor Makinde is free to aspire to the highest office in the land, but he should not mistake ambition for viability, publicity for popularity or political bargaining for a genuine national movement. He maintained that a presidential candidate whose own political allies are validating the achievements of the incumbent has a serious credibility problem.
Senator Alli's statement has further highlighted the challenges facing Governor Makinde's presidential ambition, with many Nigerians questioning the cohesion and conviction of the coalition behind him. As the 2027 elections approach, it remains to be seen how Governor Makinde will respond to these criticisms and whether his presidential project can gain traction.
Key points
- Governor Seyi Makinde's presidential ambition in APM is dead on arrival - Oyo APC governorship candidate Senator Sharafadeen Alli.
- Senator Bala Mohammed's commendation of President Bola Tinubu has exposed the emptiness of Governor Makinde's presidential project.
- Governor Makinde's presidential campaign is collapsing under the weight of its own contradictions before the real contest has even begun.
