The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation on Saturday took a swipe at Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, accusing him of displaying “gross ignorance” of the legal profession over his claim that the former attorney never practised law.
The organisation said the governor’s comment was a major legal blunder and urged him to take a crash course in what it described as “Law 101” before making further pronouncements on the profession.
The Director of Media and Publicity of the organisation, Bisi Oladele, stated this in a statement issued on Saturday in response to Makinde’s comment during a reception held to welcome him from his annual leave.
Oladele described the governor’s remark as “laughable,” alleging that Makinde had displayed his ignorance of the legal profession while attempting to discredit Alli ahead of the 2027 political contest.
The organisation said Alli’s legal career dated back to 1987, when he began his National Youth Service Corps programme with A.E. Enumah & Associates in Nnewi, Anambra State.
According to the statement, Alli was retained by the firm after his service before returning to Ibadan and joining R.A. Sarumi & Co., Solicitors, Advocates and Notary Public.
It said Alli remained in legal practice until 1991, when he became the first executive chairman of Ibadan North Local Government.
The statement added that Alli later returned to private practice and established Biodun Alli & Co. in Ibadan in 1994, where he remains the principal partner.
“Contrary to Makinde’s ignorant assertion, Senator Sharafadeen Alli is not a portfolio lawyer. He is a thoroughbred legal practitioner,” the organisation said.
The campaign organisation challenged the governor to verify Alli’s professional record with the Nigerian Bar Association and the Corporate Affairs Commission.
“Makinde could have done a simple check if governance had not been reduced to roadside talk,” it said.
The organisation also took exception to the suggestion that a lawyer’s professional status depends solely on appearing in court.
It said, “Even if Senator Alli had never seen the four walls of a courtroom, what crime would that have been?”
The group further accused Makinde of displaying what it called a “shocking illiteracy” about the scope of legal practice.
It said, “We are happy to school him further for free: Law 101.”
According to the organisation, being called to the Nigerian Bar does not require a lawyer to remain permanently in courtroom advocacy, noting that lawyers also work in government, the legislature, corporate organisations, academia, private chambers and arbitration.
The campaign organisation said Alli had deployed his legal training in various capacities, including as chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief of Staff, chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited and now as a senator.
It urged Makinde to “elevate his discourse,” accusing him of reducing political engagement in the state to personal attacks.
“We urge Governor Makinde to elevate his discourse. The Office of the Governor of Oyo State is a sacred place of decorum, not a beer parlour where beer parlour gist is traded,” the statement said.
The organisation also accused the governor of resorting to what it described as “petty, jealousy-driven attacks” rather than engaging Alli on governance and other issues ahead of the 2027 elections.
It maintained that Alli’s professional history was verifiable and urged the governor to check the facts before making further comments about the senator’s legal career.
