The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has described Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi’s criticism of Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s manifesto as an expression of frustration at a superior plan that will bring succour to the pains inflicted by his principal on the people of Oyo State through stifled grassroots development, floundering health policies and wobbling economic growth.
A statement on Wednesday by Bisi Oladele, the Director of Media and Publicity, Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) said the position of Adekanmbi, who is the APM governorship candidate, reflected desperation to defend Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration despite its obvious shortcomings.
The statement said Adekanmbi and Governor Seyi Makinde, his principal, are frustrated by Oyo AHEAD, the superior plan which offers grassroots development strategy, and addresses failures in health, education, agriculture and youth development in the last seven years.
“It is understandable that a government that paralyses local government system, wobbles in healthcare delivery, education, agriculture and youth development will naturally be pained that Senator Sharafadeen Alli is launching a plan to salvage the state where it has failed woefully. Today, Oyo State has the highest number of out-of-school children in Southwest; many hospitals have no single doctor while no single farm settlement or estate, as it was packaged to Oyo State people, is alive in spite of multibillion Naira appropriations for health, education and agriculture. For seven years, Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has no credible score card in youth development.
“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.
“Is it not intellectually disingenuous to describe policies as not original simply because previous governments had announced similar initiatives? When did healthcare, education, employment, workers’ welfare and economic development cease being priorities?
“What is more painful for Adekanmbi is that Senator Alli’s manifesto hits specific areas of concern to the people of Oyo State; and it came from a man the people trust. Senator Alli’s is home-grown; he lives among the people and has built a good reputation over the years. He is unlike people who just surface from the blues with bogus ideas but lack the credibility and acceptability for the promises being made. Senator Alli has led the people of Ibadan North Local Government, and he offered quality leadership. They know him, and he knows them. He served as Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff to former governor Rashidi Ladoja, positions that made him a key member of policy and implementation strategists.
“As the senator currently representing Oyo South Senatorial District, he has been delivering on his promises. They know him well across the district, and he knows them. So, when he promises, they trust his words. This reality is a source of pain for Adekanmbi and his principal.
“For emphasis, Senator Alli’s manifesto is a surgery for the illness inflicted on the people of Oyo State. It highlights the challenges, offers practical solutions and sets measurable targets.” The statement read in part.
The SSACO challenged Adekanmbi to explain why poorly staffed existing primary healthcare centres should prevent a future government from establishing better-equipped, adequately staffed and properly funded facilities across communities and local governments.
“If the current administration has mentioned the policies and delivering on them, why is Oyo State coming 27th in WAEC performance? Why are hospitals not well staffed and funded to deliver effective healthcare? Why are our local governments unable to address needs or communities in their domains? Oyo AHEAD has solutions to all these. And that is why Adekanmbi is pained.
“Alli’s experience in public administration, legislative service and community leadership positions him to offer purposeful leadership, institutional effectiveness and people-oriented development across Oyo State.” SSACO said.
The statement urges voters to stick to Alli who they know very well as one of them, and as the leader they can trust.
