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.
