When politicians lack ideas, they often resort to character assassination and manufactured controversies.
That appears to be the direction some elements within the APM camp have taken ahead of the 2027 Oyo State governorship election, instead of engaging Senator (Dr) Sharafadeen Alli with superior policies and programmes.
The controversy over a harmless video involving Alli and students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, shows how political desperation can distort an innocent interaction.
The students reportedly visited Alli for support and an interview. With limited seating, Alli offered one student his lap temporarily in what was presented as a fatherly gesture.
Political opponents have allegedly removed the footage from context, sexualised the moment and promoted insinuations aimed at damaging his reputation.
This is not constructive opposition. If the APM believes Alli is unfit to govern, it should present its economic, security, education, agricultural, employment, infrastructure and healthcare plans.
Instead, the public is being served innuendo and manufactured outrage. Such tactics may attract social-media attention, but they cannot replace credible political content.
The people of Oyo State can distinguish genuine concern from deliberate provocation. Sexualising a fatherly interaction also trivialises genuine cases of sexual misconduct that deserve serious attention.
Alli should be judged by his ideas, competence, record and policies. His opponents should meet the same standard.
Elections should be contests of vision, credibility and leadership—not viral clips and malicious interpretations.
The APM should return to the political arena. If it has better ideas, a stronger programme or a superior candidate, it should present them for public scrutiny.
Oyo State deserves a campaign focused on development, accountability, security, prosperity and competent leadership—not pettiness and personal attacks.
When politicians run out of ideas, they attack personalities and manufacture controversies. That is not leadership. It is political desperation.
And the people of Oyo State deserve to know the difference.
