The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has described Governor Seyi Makinde’s 2027 presidential bid under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) as “dead on arrival”, arguing that recent comments by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed have exposed contradictions within the campaign….
The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has described Governor Seyi Makinde’s 2027 presidential bid under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) as “dead on arrival”, arguing that recent comments by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed have exposed contradictions within the campaign.
Mohammed, who is also the national leader of the APM, recently acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu had “done so well” in several areas, particularly finance, health and security.
In a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, the SSACO said Mohammed’s remarks were significant because of his association with Makinde’s presidential project.
“The question Nigerians should now ask is simple: if one of the principal promoters of Makinde’s presidential ambition truthfully admits that President Tinubu is doing well, what exactly is the justification for Makinde asking Nigerians to replace the President?” the organisation asked.
The campaign group commended Mohammed for what it described as his willingness to acknowledge the performance of the incumbent rather than engage in “opposition for opposition’s sake”.
It argued that Mohammed’s comments reinforced its position that Tinubu’s reforms were producing results, particularly by strengthening the fiscal position of states and enabling subnational governments to implement development projects.
The organisation, however, said the remarks posed political questions for Makinde and the coalition backing his presidential ambition.
“We have always 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,” the statement said.
Alli’s campaign organisation further questioned how Makinde could persuade Nigerians that he could defeat Tinubu when prominent figures associated with his political camp were publicly acknowledging the President’s performance.
It also noted that Mohammed had previously endorsed Makinde and described him as the leader Nigeria needed, arguing that his latest comments about Tinubu raised questions about the cohesion and sustainability of the coalition supporting the Oyo governor.
“Makinde may continue to erect billboards, commission campaign offices and make grandiose declarations about ‘resetting’ Nigeria, but politics is ultimately about structures, numbers, credibility and alliances,” the organisation said.
It added: “A presidential candidate whose own political allies are validating the achievements of the incumbent has a serious credibility problem.”
The SSACO advised Makinde to focus on his stewardship of Oyo State and prepare for the transition of power in 2027 rather than pursuing what it described as an improbable presidential project.
It said the people of Oyo State were more concerned about the governor’s record on issues including the state’s debt profile, local economy, infrastructure, education, healthcare and workers’ welfare.
“Governor Makinde is free to aspire to the highest office in the land. That is his constitutional right. But he should not mistake ambition for viability, publicity for popularity or political bargaining for a genuine national movement,” the organisation said.
