The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has described Governor Seyi Makinde’s reported presidential ambition under the Allied Peoples Movement as a project that is “dead on arrival.”
Alli, in a statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation, Prince Bisi Oladele, said the recent commendation of President Bola Tinubu by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, had further exposed what he described as the contradictions surrounding Makinde’s presidential bid.
According to him, Mohammed’s public recognition of Tinubu’s performance was particularly significant because he had previously supported Makinde and spoken favourably about his leadership potential at the national level.
Alli said the development raised serious questions about the strength and unity of the political coalition backing Makinde’s presidential aspiration.
He argued that if one of the prominent figures associated with the political camp supporting Makinde could openly acknowledge the achievements of the incumbent president, Nigerians had every reason to question the basis for asking them to replace Tinubu in 2027.
“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?” Alli said.
The APC candidate commended Governor Mohammed for what he described as the courage to acknowledge the president’s performance instead of opposing the administration simply for political reasons.
He said Mohammed’s comments reflected what he claimed was becoming increasingly visible across the country, particularly the impact of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms on the finances of state governments and their ability to undertake development projects.
For Alli, the development also exposed what he described as the weak political foundation of Makinde’s presidential ambition.
He maintained that the Oyo governor’s aspiration appeared less like a realistic attempt to secure the presidency and more like a strategy to strengthen his position in negotiations ahead of the 2027 political contest.
“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,” he said.
Alli further questioned how Makinde could convince Nigerians that he had the political strength to defeat an incumbent president when influential figures within the same political circle were publicly acknowledging Tinubu’s achievements.
He also pointed to Mohammed’s earlier endorsement of Makinde, saying the Bauchi governor’s latest comments about Tinubu could trigger questions about the unity, conviction and long term sustainability of the coalition reportedly supporting the Oyo governor.
The APC governorship candidate said political campaigns could not be sustained by publicity alone, arguing that serious presidential contests require strong structures, credible alliances, broad support and demonstrable political strength.
He added that billboards, campaign offices and public declarations about “resetting” Nigeria would not by themselves translate into a viable national movement.
“A presidential candidate whose own political allies are validating the achievements of the incumbent has a serious credibility problem,” Alli said.
He advised Makinde to focus more attention on his record in Oyo State and prepare to account for his administration’s performance instead of pursuing what he described as an unrealistic presidential project.
According to him, residents of Oyo State are more concerned about the governor’s legacy, the state’s debt profile, economic conditions, infrastructure, education, healthcare and the welfare of workers than an ambition he said lacked a strong political foundation.
Alli acknowledged that Makinde, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to seek the highest political office in the country. He, however, warned that political ambition should not be confused with political viability.
“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,” he said.
