The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has launched a scathing attack on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, describing him as clueless about economic development and accusing him of wasting the opportunity provided by increased federal allocations to industrialise the state, create jobs and improve the living conditions of residents.

The organisation said Makinde’s recent interview on a national television station exposed his inability to explain how his administration had translated the huge financial resources available to the state into productive economic activities, despite receiving about N145bn and N214bn in federal allocations in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
In a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, SSACO said it was shameful that the governor, despite benefiting from the increased allocations arising from President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms since 2023, could not point to a clear industrialisation strategy capable of creating jobs and generating wealth for the people.

It accused Makinde of attempting to downplay the significant increase in federal allocations while arguing that what mattered was building a productive economy.

The organisation, however, challenged the governor to explain why the increased resources at his disposal had not translated into a thriving industrial sector, stronger business activities and improved economic opportunities across the state.

“It is shameful that Governor Makinde tried in vain to downplay the triple and sometimes quadruple federal allocations accruing to Oyo State since 2023 by reason of President Tinubu’s reforms, insisting that what matters is productive economy.

“He has failed to apply the funds appropriately to create the right environment for industrialisation and activities that will provide jobs and enable the people of Oyo State to create wealth.

“It is a sign of cluelessness to have huge funds and have no idea how to use them to enable productive economic activities. If President Tinubu’s reforms deliver the money, should he be the one to teach Governor Makinde how to utilise it for the benefit of the people of Oyo State?” the statement asked.

SSACO also accused the governor of mismanaging the state’s electricity intervention, alleging that N8.5bn was spent on a failed electricity project while he continued to criticise the Tinubu administration over the country’s power challenges.

It said Makinde had failed to take advantage of the Electricity Act 2023, signed by President Tinubu, which opened up opportunities for states to participate in electricity generation and distribution.

According to the organisation, states such as Lagos, Ekiti and Abia have taken steps to explore the opportunities provided by the legislation, while Oyo has failed to make comparable progress in providing reliable electricity for industries, businesses and households.
The campaign organisation described the situation as a contradiction, accusing Makinde of criticising the Federal Government over electricity supply while failing to deliver an effective alternative for residents and businesses in his own state.

“It is disheartening that Governor Makinde spent N8.5bn of those increased federal allocations on a failed electricity project while he criticises President Tinubu for not fixing electricity.

“While states like Lagos, Ekiti and Abia have taken advantage of the Electricity Act 2023 to liberalise electricity generation and distribution, among others, Governor Makinde has failed woefully to act in the same manner to provide electricity to industries, other businesses and households.

“It is laughable that a man who cannot reset the Oyo State economy is grandstanding as a man who can reset Nigeria. Oyo State people definitely deserve a better governor than Makinde,” SSACO said.

The organisation said Senator Sharafadeen Alli, if elected governor in 2027, would reverse what it described as the economic failures of the Makinde administration through his Oyo AHEAD agenda.

It listed the proposed policies to include the establishment of a state electricity regulatory framework, investment in solar energy, provision of low-interest funding for the organised private sector, revival of the Free Trade Zone and the establishment of a N10bn youth development fund.

SSACO said the proposed interventions would stimulate industrial activities, support businesses, expand employment opportunities and create an enabling environment for wealth generation.
It further argued that Alli’s alignment with the Federal Government would position Oyo State to attract greater developmental benefits and investment opportunities.

The organisation urged residents to make the right political choice in the 2027 governorship election, insisting that the state needed a governor with the vision and capacity to convert available resources into tangible economic development.

The immediate past Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Segun Ogunwuyi, on Tuesday led 32 other political chieftains of the Allied Peoples Movement to the All Progressives Congress, in a major political realignment in Ogbomoso.

The defection, which took place at Oja’gbo, in front of Soun Ogunlola Hall, attracted a large crowd of APC members and supporters, forcing a disruption of vehicular movement in the area for more than three hours.

The defectors included Alhaji Rasak Gbadegesin, popularly known as Agbeti; Timothy Oyeniyi; Alabi Olateju; Dr Banji Folaranmi; Isaiah Adegbite; Peter Oyetunji; and the APM Chairman in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, Jimoh Sikiru.

Also in the group were council secretaries, chiefs of staff, supervisory councillors and special assistants serving in Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa local government areas.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Ogunwuyi said they joined the APC to contribute to the party’s growth and strengthen its chances in the 2027 general elections.

He expressed confidence that the APC would win convincingly in Ogbomoso, adding that the new members were ready to work for the party’s success.

The APC State Chairman, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, welcomed the defectors and assured them of equal opportunities in the party.

He urged them to close ranks with existing members and work towards the victory of APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

Explaining his decision to leave the APM, Folaranmi accused the party of being run as a one-man organisation, alleging that Makinde was the only person effectively running its affairs.

The APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, described the defection as a significant blow to the APM, saying the departure of Ogunwuyi and other political figures showed that the party was losing influential members.

He said, “For the likes of Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, Alhaji Rasak Agbeti and other politicians of substance to abandon Governor Makinde, it means a lot.

“I use this medium to tell the few ones who are still there to leave now and join us in the APC.”

The development is expected to give the APC a boost in its grassroots mobilisation across Ogbomoso and neighbouring communities ahead of the 2027 elections.

It also comes as political parties intensify their preparations for the governorship contest, with Alli seeking to consolidate the APC’s influence across the state and challenge the political structure of the ruling party.

The defection is particularly significant for the APC’s Oyo South political calculations, as Ogunwuyi and other defectors are expected to bring their political networks and grassroots connections into the opposition party.

Among the APC leaders who attended the rally were former senators Ayoade Adeseun and Brimoh Yusuf; former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Olagunju Ojo; former APC state chairman, Akin Oke; Kemi Alao-Akala; Bashiru Akataapa; Aderemi Adepoju; and Abiodun Adeyemo, popularly known as Obadoba.

Members of the Oyo APC State Executive Committee were also present.
The Director-General of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Council, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, and his deputy, Sola Ogunbode, attended the event.

Other political figures at the rally included the APC deputy governorship candidate, Adesoji Adedeji; Hannah Ogunesan; Segun Odebunmi; and Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala.

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has accused Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration of plotting to sell or cede the 40-year-old Agodi Government Fish Farm in Ibadan to a private estate developer.

The opposition party alleged that the facility was being targeted for conversion into an extension of Baywood Estate, following the recent destruction of part of the Agodi conservation forest.

In a statement issued on Friday and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the alleged move as another attempt to dispose of public assets for private interests.

The party said the fish farm, located between the Agodi Gardens and Dandaru Stream in the heart of Ibadan, was an important agricultural and educational facility that should be preserved.

Established about four decades ago, the facility houses offices, laboratories, demonstration farms, fish ponds and training centres used by students, researchers and practising fish farmers.

It also accommodates the Ogunpa Lake, where local and exotic fish species are bred for educational and commercial purposes.The APC alleged that the proposed takeover was part of a wider plan to expand private estate developments around the Agodi Government Secretariat.

“We have uncovered fresh plans by Governor Makinde and his cronies to expand the private housing estate projects around Agodi Government Secretariat, which has birthed Baywood Estate.

“After the destruction of the enviable green zone that protects the environment around the area, the next in line for Governor Makinde is to level up the Government Fish Farm facility with a view to joining the large expanse of land, which it occupies, with the private estate,” the statement said.

The party faulted the administration’s handling of public infrastructure, arguing that the alleged plan would further undermine the state’s agricultural and environmental assets.

It also accused the government of neglecting several public facilities, including the Trans Amusement Park, Agodi Gardens, the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, the Oyo State Library Board and the state Water Corporation.

Expressing concern over the future of other government facilities around Agodi, the APC said residents had reasons to worry about the safety of the Government Secretariat, Government House and Cultural Centre complex.

The party called on Makinde to immediately suspend the alleged plan to cede the fish farm, warning against what it described as the illegal conversion of government-owned properties into private estates.

It also urged elders and concerned residents of the state to prevail on the governor, insisting that those responsible for the alleged sale or takeover of public lands and assets must be held accountable.