Bala Mohammed: Alli can't become governor by venting his poverty of ideas on Makinde — GSM Advocates
Bala Mohammed: Alli can't become governor by venting his poverty of ideas on Makinde — GSM Advocates
Despite our youth corps members still in kidnappers’ den, Alli’s insensitivity, desperation, and hunger for power are driving him to political oblivion — GSM Advocates
The GSM Advocates has condemned what it described as gross “insensitivity, desperation and misplaced political priorities” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for governor of Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, for attacking Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition. At the same time, Oyo youth corps members, remain in the custody of kidnappers in an APC-controlled Imo State.
The group said Alli’s latest attack, in which he declared Governor Makinde’s presidential ambition “dead on arrival” following Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed’s commendation of President Bola Tinubu, was another indication that the APC candidate was more interested in political power than the safety and welfare of the people he desperately seeks to govern.
In a press statement by its state coordinator, Bashorun Abiola in Ibadan on Monday, the GSM Advocates said it was “shameful and unfortunate” that Alli and his campaign organisation could devote considerable energy to discussing Makinde’s political ambition while maintaining what it described as “grave silence” over the worsening insecurity under the APC-led Federal Government.
The group reacted to a statement by the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO), signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, arguing that Governor Bala Mohammed’s commendation of President Tinubu exposed alleged contradictions in Makinde’s presidential project.
The GSM Advocates said the argument was not only politically hollow but also demonstrated the extent to which Alli and his political associates had become detached from the immediate concerns of ordinary Nigerians.
“While our youth corps members are still in the den of kidnappers, while families are living in fear and while Nigerians continue to demand answers from the Federal Government over the security of lives and property, Senator Alli and his cohorts have found the time to celebrate and analyse the political implications of one governor’s commendation of President Tinubu.
“This is the height of political insensitivity. Nigerians want their children, relatives and loved ones to return home safely. They want an end to kidnapping and banditry. They want a government that can protect lives and property. But Alli’s priority appears to be how to score cheap political points against Governor Makinde,” the group said.
The GSM Advocates challenged the APC candidate to explain what he and his party had done to address the security crisis before seeking to lecture Makinde about presidential ambition.
According to the group, the most important political conversation at the moment should be about the Federal Government’s performance in protecting Nigerians as its primary and fundamental assignment rather than whether Makinde’s presidential aspiration is viable.
“It is unfortunate that Alli has not demonstrated the same enthusiasm in questioning the gross failure and ineptitude of the APC government on the security of lives and property.
“Where is Alli’s voice on the kidnapping of Nigerians? Where is his demand for accountability from the Federal Government? Where is his outrage over the continued vulnerability of youth corps members and other Nigerians?
“Why is he silent when Nigerians need him to speak? Why is he more concerned about Makinde’s ambition than the lives of innocent Nigerians or is he not a parent himself, has he no sense of humanity remaining in him?” the group queried.
The GSM Advocates also dismissed Alli’s interpretation of Governor Bala Mohammed’s comments, saying that a political leader’s acknowledgement of specific government effort could not automatically invalidate the political aspirations of another politician.
It described the SSACO argument as an attempt to reduce the complex 2027 political contest to “cheap political arithmetic”, adding that political alliances and electoral choices could change without automatically determining the outcome of an election.
The group said SSACO has continued on its demarketing of Alli's tiniest chance with what it described as gross insensitivity to times and season arguing that the entire nation, not just Oyo State, expects the safe return of the young Nigerian graduates still in captivity.
The group said the only crime of the youth corps members is attempting to fulfill the statutory requirement for young graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions.
It further accused Alli of being obsessed with Makinde because, according to the group, the governor’s record in Oyo State had made it difficult for the APC candidate to build a convincing alternative narrative other than ceaseless attacks instead of telling the electorate what he intended to do if given the chance.
“Instead of telling Oyo people what he will do differently, Alli has made attacking everything associated with Makinde the central message of his campaign.
“You cannot become governor simply by shouting that Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead. You cannot win the confidence of Oyo people by making every political conversation about Makinde. At some point, you must tell the people what you have in stock for them.
“The people are not looking for a candidate whose entire campaign is built around attacking one man. They are looking for leadership, ideas, competence, security, economic opportunities and a clear plan for the future,” the group said.
The GSM Advocates said Alli’s latest statement had also exposed what it called “the poverty of ideas” within his campaign, arguing that the APC candidate should be explaining how he intends to confront insecurity, unemployment, poverty and other challenges confronting Nigerians rather than predicting the political death of another candidate.
It warned that Alli’s continued fixation on Makinde could ultimately work against him by reinforcing the perception that his campaign lacked an independent policy agenda.
“Senator Alli should be careful not to allow desperation for power to become his political undoing. Hunger for power without a compelling message to the electorate can drive a politician into political oblivion.
“Makinde will not be on the ballot in Oyo State in 2027. Alli knows this. Yet he continues to make Makinde the centre of his campaign. This tells Nigerians more about Alli’s political anxiety than it does about Makinde’s ambition,” the group said.
The GSM Advocates advised the APC candidate to face the electorate with a programme capable of convincing voters instead of relying on attacks, predictions and political propaganda.
It added that the 2027 election would ultimately be determined by the people and not by campaign statements, billboards or political organisations.
“Senator Alli is entitled to aspire to govern Oyo State, just as Governor Makinde is entitled to pursue his presidential ambition but political ambition does not confer a monopoly over the truth.
“If he wants Oyo people to vote for him, let him tell them precisely what he will do differently and how he intends to do it. It's not that difficult but we're still bewildered as to why Alli and his cohorts have deliberately shunned telling the electorate his economic blueprints.
“But while Nigerians are being kidnapped and youth corps members remain in the custody of criminals, making Makinde’s presidential ambition the centrepiece of your political conversation is not leadership. It is a misplaced priority.
“That is why we believe Senator Alli’s latest outburst is less about Makinde and more about a politician struggling to find a compelling message for his own candidacy. Oyo people deserve better than a campaign driven by desperation, personal attacks, and an unhealthy obsession with Governor Makinde,” the group said.