The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has dismissed Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi’s criticism of Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s governorship manifesto, describing it as a reaction borne out of frustration over what it called a more comprehensive development blueprint for Oyo State.The organisation maintained that Adekanmbi, the African People’s Movement (APM) governorship candidate, was attempting to shield Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration from scrutiny despite what it described as shortcomings in grassroots development, healthcare, education, agriculture and youth empowerment.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, SSACO said the unveiling of Alli’s Oyo AHEAD agenda had unsettled those seeking to sustain the present administration’s political direction.
According to the campaign organisation, the proposed blueprint directly addresses critical areas where it believes Oyo State has fallen short over the past seven years, offering what it described as practical responses to the needs of residents across the state.
SSACO argued that Adekanmbi’s objection to the manifesto overlooked the fact that policies on healthcare, education, employment, workers’ welfare and economic advancement remain essential responsibilities of any government, regardless of whether similar initiatives have featured in previous administrations.
The organisation specifically questioned the state government’s performance in the education and health sectors, alleging that Oyo State continues to grapple with a high number of out-of-school children, poor staffing in public hospitals and inadequate funding of healthcare facilities.
It also faulted the administration’s handling of agriculture and local government development, claiming that farm settlements and agricultural estates previously presented to residents had failed to deliver the expected results despite substantial budgetary allocations.
“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,” the statement said.
Addressing the argument that some of the policies contained in Alli’s manifesto were not entirely new, SSACO questioned the basis of such criticism, insisting that the relevance of a development agenda should be measured by its capacity to solve existing problems rather than whether similar ideas had been proposed in the past.
The campaign organisation further sought to distinguish Alli’s political credentials from those of his critics, presenting his experience in grassroots politics and public administration as important advantages in the governorship race.
It recalled that the senator had previously served as Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Secretary to the Oyo State Government and Chief of Staff under the administration of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja.
SSACO also pointed to his current representation of Oyo South Senatorial District, arguing that his legislative experience and relationship with constituents had strengthened public confidence in his leadership.
The organisation described Oyo AHEAD as a home-grown development agenda designed around the realities of the state, rather than what it called ambitious promises without the credibility and experience required for implementation.
“For emphasis, Senator Alli’s manifesto is a surgery for the illness inflicted on the people of Oyo State. It highlights the challenges, offers practical solutions and sets measurable targets,” the statement added.
SSACO also challenged Adekanmbi to explain why the shortcomings of existing public healthcare facilities should prevent a future administration from establishing better-equipped, adequately staffed and properly funded centres across communities and local government areas.
It further questioned the state’s reported 27th position in WAEC performance, the condition of public hospitals and the capacity of local governments to respond effectively to the needs of their communities.
The organisation maintained that Oyo AHEAD contains proposals intended to address these concerns, insisting that Alli’s experience in governance, legislative service and community leadership would provide the foundation for effective implementation.
SSACO concluded by urging residents to support the senator in the forthcoming governorship election, describing him as a familiar political figure whose record and longstanding relationship with the people, according to the organisation, make him worthy of their trust.
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