The Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, to appear on national television and state broadcasting stations to explain his plans for the state ahead of the 2027 election.
Olanrewaju said Alli should make his economic agenda and policy proposals available for public scrutiny, rather than relying on campaign statements and political engagements.
The governor’s spokesman made the challenge during an exclusive interview with Western Mirror at his office on Friday, questioning why Alli had not appeared on national television to discuss his governorship ambition.
He cited recent television appearances by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Olooye Adegboyega Adegoke, who had discussed their ambitions and development plans for Oyo State.
Adekanmbi, a former Commissioner for Finance under the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, appeared on ARISE Television’s Morning Show on September 15, where he spoke about his public service experience and vision for the state. He has also featured on state broadcasting stations.
Adegoke equally used television appearances to present his views on Oyo’s development and the 2027 governorship contest.
Olanrewaju argued that Alli should subject his proposals to similar public questioning, particularly on the economy, education, healthcare, infrastructure, workers’ welfare and local government administration.
Although Alli has previously outlined policy positions on issues including local government autonomy, free education, healthcare delivery, agriculture and workers’ welfare, Olanrewaju insisted that the APC candidate needed to explain how he intended to finance and implement them.
He also dismissed Alli’s public service record, alleging that the senator had failed to demonstrate the impact of the offices he had occupied on the lives of residents.
According to the governor’s spokesman, Alli was a political project sponsored by individuals seeking to protect their interests in Oyo State.
“Senator Sarafa Alli is just a political project being sponsored by a few individuals who believe Oyo State should be their private estate, where the destiny of millions is at their whims and caprice,” he said.
“Sarafa himself knows that he has absolutely nothing to offer other than the mere desperation to be called Mr Governor. What he is failing to realise is that Oyo State has moved far beyond that era of political grandstanding.”
Olanrewaju further claimed that Alli had deliberately avoided presenting his plans in detail, unlike Adekanmbi, who had publicly discussed his proposals.
He contrasted the current administration’s employment process with what he described as the previous era, saying Makinde’s government had introduced digital recruitment to give qualified applicants equal opportunities, irrespective of their political connections.
He said thousands of young people had secured employment in the state civil service without having to seek political patronage.
The CPS also defended the government’s handling of compensation for property owners affected by the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road project, referring to their recent reception of Makinde during his engagement with them.
He said the development had weakened the opposition’s criticism of the project, which he accused the APC of using as a campaign issue.
Olanrewaju maintained that the governor’s administration had addressed the concerns surrounding the project and challenged Alli to identify other issues he intended to campaign on.
He also called for a sector-by-sector engagement with the APC candidate, saying it would allow voters to assess the candidates’ proposals and make informed decisions ahead of the election.
The governor’s spokesman expressed confidence that Makinde would defeat President Bola Tinubu in 2027 and that Adekanmbi would succeed him as Oyo governor.
He urged residents, particularly those affected by the Circular Road project, to continue supporting the governor, while describing opposition critics as people working against the collective interests of the state.
Kehinde Ayanboade
Kehinde Ayanboade is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Naija Metro News, with over eight years of experience covering Nigerian politics, crime, legislative proceedings and metropolitan affairs.
