The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has described Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) as “dead on arrival,” saying the recent commendation of President Bola Tinubu by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has exposed contradictions within the political camp backing Makinde.
Bauchi State Governor and national leader of the APM, Bala Mohammed, had publicly acknowledged that President Tinubu had “done so well” in several areas, particularly finance, health and security.
In a statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity of the SSACO, Bisi Oladele, the organisation said Mohammed’s remarks were significant because he was one of the prominent figures associated with the political coalition promoting Makinde’s presidential ambition.
The campaign organisation said the development raised questions about the justification for Makinde’s presidential bid if a principal promoter of his ambition could publicly acknowledge the achievements of the incumbent president.
“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?” the statement queried.
SSACO commended Mohammed for what it described as his courage to acknowledge the performance of the Tinubu administration rather than engaging in opposition for opposition’s sake.
The organisation further claimed that the commendation had exposed what it called the contradictions surrounding Makinde’s presidential project, arguing that the governor’s ambition appeared more like a bargaining strategy ahead of the 2027 political realignment than a serious bid for the presidency.
“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,” SSACO said.
The organisation also recalled that Mohammed had previously endorsed Makinde and described him as the leader Nigeria needed, saying his latest comments about Tinubu had raised questions about the cohesion and sustainability of the coalition backing the Oyo governor.
According to SSACO, presidential politics is ultimately determined by structures, numbers, credibility and alliances, rather than billboards, campaign offices and public declarations.
“A presidential candidate whose own political allies are validating the achievements of the incumbent has a serious credibility problem,” it added.
The Alli Campaign Organisation advised Makinde to concentrate on accounting for his stewardship in Oyo State and preparing for the transition of power in 2027 rather than pursuing what it described as an improbable presidential project.
It said the people of Oyo State were more concerned about issues including the state’s debt profile, local economy, infrastructure, education, healthcare and workers’ welfare.
“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,” the organisation stated.
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