The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has dismissed criticism of its candidate’s manifesto by the African Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, describing it as frustration with a development agenda it considers superior.
The organisation said Alli’s Oyo AHEAD manifesto offered practical solutions to challenges in grassroots development, healthcare, education, agriculture and youth empowerment, which it accused the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde of failing to address effectively in the last seven years.
In a statement on Wednesday, SSACO’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, said Adekanmbi’s criticism reflected an attempt to defend Makinde’s administration despite its alleged shortcomings.
The campaign organisation accused the state government of weakening local government administration, neglecting healthcare and education, and failing to deliver meaningful progress in agriculture and youth development.
It alleged that Oyo State had the highest number of out-of-school children in the South-West, while several hospitals lacked doctors and government-backed farm settlements had become inactive 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.
SSACO also faulted Adekanmbi’s argument that Alli’s manifesto lacked originality, insisting that the recurrence of certain policies in previous administrations did not diminish their importance.
“When did healthcare, education, employment, workers’ welfare and economic development cease being priorities?” it asked.
The organisation said the manifesto addressed the specific needs of Oyo residents and was backed by Alli’s record in public service and community leadership.
It cited his tenure as chairman of Ibadan North Local Government and his previous roles as Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff to former governor Rashidi Ladoja.
SSACO added that Alli’s experience as the senator representing Oyo South and his familiarity with the people gave him the credibility to deliver on his promises.
The campaign described Oyo AHEAD as a practical response to the state’s development challenges, saying it identified problems, proposed solutions and established measurable targets.
It challenged Adekanmbi to explain why shortcomings in existing primary healthcare centres should prevent a future administration from establishing better-equipped, adequately staffed and properly funded facilities.
The organisation also questioned the state’s reported 27th position in WAEC performance and the capacity of local governments to meet the needs of their communities.
SSACO urged voters to support Alli, whom it described as a trusted leader with the experience to deliver purposeful governance and people-oriented development across Oyo State.
