The campaign organisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has urged Governor ‘Seyi Makinde to focus on selling the credentials of his preferred successor rather than attacking the senator ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The campaign organisation, in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Bolaji Tunji, said Makinde would not be on the ballot in the election and should allow the candidates seeking the governorship to defend their records before the electorate.

The reaction followed what the campaign described as Makinde’s veiled reference to a recent video involving Alli and a student visitor, in which the governor reportedly urged voters not to “vote for those who lap each other.”

The campaign said the remark was an attempt to distract Oyo voters from the issues and candidates before them.

It stated: “Governor Makinde is free to campaign for his preferred successor, but he should remember that he is not contesting this election.

“The choice before Oyo people is not between Seyi Makinde and Sharafadeen Alli. It is between Senator Alli and the candidates presented by the other political parties, including Mr. Bimbo Adekanmbi of the APM.”

The organisation challenged Adekanmbi, a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, to present his governance record and explain his suitability to govern Oyo State.

“Rather than attempting to turn a spontaneous act of kindness into political ammunition, the Governor should allow his candidate to step forward and tell Oyo people what qualifies him to govern the state,” it said.

The campaign said Alli was coming before the electorate with a public record that could be scrutinised, citing his years of public service, legislative experience and understanding of the state.

It added that similar scrutiny should be applied to Adekanmbi, asking: “Beyond having served as Commissioner for Finance, what is the governance pedigree upon which he seeks to become Governor of Oyo State? What enduring achievements can he point to? What is his vision for the state?”

The organisation also raised questions about Adekanmbi’s relationship with the administration in which he served and his subsequent political choices, saying such issues should not be overshadowed by comments about Alli.

On the controversial video, the campaign described the incident as an act of empathy towards a student who was left standing during a visit.

It said Alli had spontaneously accommodated the student and accused those interpreting the incident politically of attempting to turn a humanitarian gesture into political ammunition.

The organisation also questioned why Makinde, who is approaching the end of his constitutionally permitted tenure, was more interested in attacking Alli than promoting the credentials of the candidate he wants voters to elect.

It said the 2027 election would not be a referendum on Makinde’s personal preference or dislike for any candidate.

“The 2027 election will not be a referendum on who Governor Seyi Makinde likes or dislikes. Neither will it be decided by who sat on whose lap. It will be a choice between candidates seeking the mandate of Oyo people,” the campaign said.

It urged voters to assess the candidates based on their records, character, competence and capacity before making their choice.

“Governor Makinde will not be on that ballot. Senator Sharafadeen Alli will be. Mr Bimbo Adekanmbi will also be.

“Let the candidates’ records, character, competence and capacity speak. Let Oyo people decide,” it added.