Oyo 2027: SSACO Fires Back at Adekanmbi Over Alli’s Manifesto

The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has faulted the criticism of its candidate’s manifesto by the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, describing it as an attempt to discredit a development blueprint for Oyo State.

The campaign organisation said Adekanmbi’s reaction reflected an effort to defend the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde despite what it described as shortcomings in grassroots development, healthcare delivery, education, agriculture and youth empowerment.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, SSACO maintained that Alli’s manifesto, tagged Oyo AHEAD, offered practical solutions to the challenges confronting the state.

It argued that the blueprint was designed to address gaps in critical sectors and provide a new direction for development across the state.

“It is understandable that a government that paralyses the local government system, wobbles in healthcare delivery, education, agriculture and youth development will naturally be pained that Senator Sharafadeen Alli is launching a plan to salvage the state where it has failed woefully,” the statement said.

The organisation alleged that Oyo State was facing serious challenges in education and healthcare, claiming that the state had a high number of out-of-school children in the Southwest and that several hospitals lacked adequate medical personnel.

It also questioned the state government’s performance in agriculture, alleging that farm settlements and agricultural initiatives announced by the administration had failed to deliver the expected results despite substantial budgetary allocations.

SSACO further accused the Makinde administration of lacking a convincing record in youth development over the last seven years.

“For a man campaigning to continue this woeful trajectory, we fully understand that Mr Adekanmbi will be grievously pained by the unveiling of a superior plan for the good people of Oyo State,” it added.

The campaign organisation also faulted Adekanmbi’s argument that some of the policies contained in Alli’s manifesto were not original because previous administrations had introduced similar initiatives.

It described such an argument as misplaced, insisting that the importance of public policies should be measured by their implementation and impact rather than whether similar ideas had previously been announced.

“When did healthcare, education, employment, workers’ welfare and economic development cease being priorities?” the statement queried.

SSACO said Alli’s manifesto addressed specific concerns of residents and was backed by the candidate’s experience in public administration, legislative service and community leadership.

It noted that the senator had previously served as Secretary to the Oyo State Government and Chief of Staff to former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, positions it said exposed him to policymaking and government administration.

The organisation also highlighted his experience as a former chairman of Ibadan North Local Government and his current representation of Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate.

According to the campaign organisation, these experiences had given Alli an understanding of the needs of the people and the capacity to translate policy proposals into practical programmes.

“What is more painful for Adekanmbi is that Senator Alli’s manifesto hits specific areas of concern to the people of Oyo State; and it came from a man the people trust,” the statement said.

It added, “Senator Alli has led the people of Ibadan North Local Government, and he offered quality leadership. They know him, and he knows them.”

Describing Oyo AHEAD as a comprehensive development blueprint, SSACO said it identified existing challenges, proposed solutions and established measurable targets for improving the state’s socio-economic conditions.

The organisation also challenged Adekanmbi to explain why shortcomings in existing primary healthcare facilities should prevent a future administration from establishing better-equipped, adequately staffed and properly funded health centres across communities.

“If the current administration has mentioned the policies and delivered on them, why is Oyo State coming 27th in WAEC performance? Why are hospitals not well staffed and funded to deliver effective healthcare? Why are our local governments unable to address needs or communities in their domains? Oyo AHEAD has solutions to all these,” the statement said.

SSACO maintained that Alli’s combination of legislative experience, public administration and grassroots engagement positioned him to provide what it described as purposeful and people-oriented leadership.

It urged voters to support the senator in the 2027 governorship election, describing him as a candidate with an established record and familiarity with the needs of the people.