The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has accused Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of directing the state’s 33 local government councils to fund the mobilisation of Allied Peoples Movement (APM) supporters to Akure, Ondo State, for his presidential campaign rally.
SSACO described the alleged directive as another instance of misuse of local government resources by the Makinde administration, coming only days after the councils were reportedly compelled to contribute 60 per cent of the N4.2 billion budgeted for the December 29, 2026 local government election.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, the campaign organisation alleged that the development showed Makinde was prioritising his 2027 presidential ambition over grassroots development in Oyo State.
The organisation also linked the governor’s political activities to his support for Bimbo Adekanmbi, the APM governorship candidate in Oyo State.
Makinde declared Adekanmbi his preferred successor in May 2026, describing his candidacy as part of the political arrangement around his administration and urging him to build on its achievements.
According to SSACO, the alleged mobilisation directive was particularly troubling because local governments were already being asked to provide about N2.5 billion, representing 60 per cent of the N4.2 billion earmarked for the local government election.
“The SSACO is fully aware of a directive to the 33 local governments councils in Oyo State to fund mobilization of party members to Akure, Ondo State for the Seyi Makinde presidential zonal campaign rally,” Oladele said.
The organisation alleged that the development further demonstrated why it has criticised the financial relationship between the state government and local councils, claiming that resources meant for grassroots development were being deployed for political activities.
SSACO also questioned the proposed local government election, saying the exercise had become subject to litigation and urging the governor to respect the outcome of the legal process.
The campaign organisation further accused Makinde of opposing financial autonomy for local governments because, according to it, the existing arrangement gives the state government greater control over council resources.
It urged local government chairmen in the state to reject an “evil directive” and called on the governor to stop what it characterised as the diversion of public resources for political purposes.
“Rural roads, bridges, schools and hospitals are crying for help while this misapplication of local government funds is being undertaken with glee,” the statement said.
SSACO also accused Makinde of seeking to sustain his political influence beyond the expiration of his administration by supporting Adekanmbi in the 2027 governorship election.
However, Adekanmbi has publicly rejected suggestions that he would serve as Makinde’s political “stooge”, pledging to provide independent leadership if elected.
The campaign organisation said Makinde should consider the long-term consequences of decisions taken during the final phase of his administration and urged him to prioritise the development needs of residents.
It also called on Oyo voters to support Senator Sharafadeen Alli in the 2027 elections, arguing that his administration would pursue local government autonomy and grassroots development under its proposed Oyo AHEAD agenda.
