The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has criticised the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) over its reported call for President Bola Tinubu to step aside for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
SSACO questioned the APM’s national political structure and electoral strength, while accusing Makinde of undermining local government administration in Oyo State.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, the campaign organisation described the APM’s call as unrealistic, arguing that a credible presidential ambition requires nationwide political organisation and electoral support.
The group also alleged that Makinde’s record on local government administration in Oyo State raised questions about his suitability for a presidential contest.
According to SSACO, the APM must demonstrate its ability to compete across the country rather than rely on public statements to promote its presidential candidate.
“Declaring an ambition is one thing; building the political structure required to prosecute a nationwide presidential election is another entirely,” the statement said.
The organisation challenged the APM to disclose the extent of its electoral structures across the federation and demonstrate its capacity to compete effectively in the states and the Federal Capital Territory.
It further argued that the party should have candidates contesting various elective positions in at least one-third of the country to establish its seriousness about the presidential race.
SSACO accuses Makinde of undermining local governments
Turning its criticism to Makinde’s record in Oyo State, SSACO alleged that the governor had weakened the state’s 33 local government councils during his seven years in office.
The organisation described local governments as important channels for grassroots development and accused Makinde of being opposed to the third tier of government.
“APM’s Makinde is averse to the third tier of government in Nigeria, and this is evident in his seven-year anti-local government administration in Oyo State,” the statement said.
SSACO also argued that Makinde would need to demonstrate substantial political strength in his home state before seeking to lead the country.
“More importantly, even Governor Seyi Makinde, whom the APM now parades as its presidential candidate, has serious political battles to fight in his home state of Oyo where he has paralyzed the 33 local governments in the last seven years. In fact, he is gasping for breath politically in the state,” the statement added.
The campaign organisation maintained that a presidential aspirant must establish a strong political base in his home state before attempting to secure nationwide electoral support.
Tinubu’s supporters highlight Renewed Hope projects
Defending President Tinubu’s administration, SSACO said the 2027 presidential election would be determined by voters and their assessment of the federal government’s performance rather than political statements.
The organisation cited the student loan scheme, establishment of new federal universities, construction of superhighways and reconstruction of inter-state and inter-city roads as examples of what it described as dividends of democracy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
It argued that these initiatives would feature prominently in Nigerians’ assessment of the administration ahead of the next presidential election.
Nigeria’s next presidential election is scheduled for 2027, with political parties and aspirants expected to position themselves ahead of the contest.
