*’Gov Already Gasping For Breath Politically In Oyo’
*Group Alleges Looting Festival
By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Governorship Campaign Organisation in Oyo State has described as laughable the call by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) asking President Bola Tinubu to step aside for its presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde.
To the campaign body, APM should first demonstrate that it possesses the national structure and political strength required to mount a serious presidential challenge.
The organization said it was the height of what it described as political hallucination for APM to speak as though the country’s presidency could be secured through press statements and political theatrics, rather than through nationwide organisation and electoral support.
It what amounted to mocking the presidential candidate’s efforts, the campaign organization stated: “Declaring an ambition is one thing; building the political structure required to prosecute a nationwide presidential election is another entirely.
“The APM should tell Nigerians how extensive its electoral structures are across the federation and demonstrate its capacity to compete effectively across the states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“It must have candidates across various elective positions in at least one third of the country to show seriousness.
“But can we blame the APM spokesperson for issuing a press statement at the end of the month in a subtle reminder to his hirers that his salary is due for payment?
“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. In fact, he is gasping for breath politically in the state.
“A man seeking to conquer Nigeria must first demonstrate compelling political strength on his own turf. Charity, as the saying goes, begins from home.”
It added that the 2027 presidential election would not be decided by who issues the loudest press statement; and that it would be determined by Nigerians.
“President Tinubu is seeking another mandate on the platform of a party with an established nationwide organisation and on a track record that is solid and acknowledged internationally.
“For Governor Makinde, however, that national ambition does not erase the political contest unfolding back home in Oyo State.
“The APM should, therefore, prepare for the verdict of the electorate, rather than behave as though political power can be transferred by proclamation.
“The Presidency of Nigeria is neither inherited nor surrendered on demand. It is contested for and determined by the Nigerian people at the ballot box,” it said.
Group Alleges Looting Festival
Meanwhile, a group, Save Oyo Movement (SOM), has accused Gov. Makinde of lavishing over N4 billion belonging to the state on APM leaders and purchase of campaign vehicles.
The group, which described a call by the APM that President Tinubu should step aside for Makinde as a function of alleged drunkeness, said even the party’s candidate knew that he was only using the presidential contest to catch cruise.
In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Akeem Oladiti, the SOM alleged that in the last six months, Gov. Makinde had been releasing N250 million monthly for the running of APM, including payment of staff salaries and allowances of the party officials.
Also, the group accused Makinde of buying over 30 Toyota Hilux vehicles, which, it claimed, were now being distributed to his state coordinators.
It said some of the Hilux, which were initially parked at Makinde’s Abuja campaign office, had been moved to unknown destinations.
The group reiterated its call on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to beam their searchlights on finances of the Oyo State, noting that the rate at which state funds were allegedly being used to fund Makinde’s APM “political misadventure” had become alarming.
The SOM, which said the APM statement calling on President Tinubu to step down for its candidate, ought to have come out of desire to justify its monthly N250 million, added that “by next year February, the festival of looting of Oyo State treasury to fill the pockets of the APM political merchants will be over.”
The group further stated: “And by that time, Seyi Makinde, would have been facing the reality of the end of his inglorious tenure as Governor of Oyo State, and will be looking for where to hide.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: L-R: Alli; and Gov. Makinde… political foes.
