Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of paralyzing the local government system in the state, a claim he says undermines grassroots development and governance. In a statement issued by his campaign media director, Bisi Oladele, Alli criticized Makinde’s administration for its alleged disregard for the third tier of government, arguing that this has crippled essential services and community-level projects across Oyo. The statement highlights what Alli describes as a seven-year pattern of anti-local government policies under Makinde’s leadership.
Alli, who currently represents the Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, emphasized that the governor’s actions reflect a fundamental lack of confidence in local government structures. He stated that Nigeria cannot afford to hand over the presidency to someone with a track record of weakening local governments, which are vital for inclusive and sustainable development. “Nigerians are not naive to surrender the presidency to a man notorious for paralyzing local governments, which are effective channels of grassroots development,” Alli said in the statement.
He further noted that Makinde’s approach has left many local government areas without functional councils, affecting critical functions such as education, health, infrastructure, and revenue generation. According to Alli, this neglect has deepened poverty and inequality in rural communities, where local governments play a crucial role in service delivery. The APC candidate argued that strong local governments are essential for national unity and democratic participation, especially in a country as diverse as Nigeria.
It is worth noting that Governor Seyi Makinde is also the presidential candidate for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the 2027 general elections. This political move has intensified scrutiny of his governance record, particularly in Oyo State, where opposition parties have raised concerns about administrative inefficiencies and structural weaknesses in local governance. Alli’s criticism comes amid growing debate over the effectiveness of state-level administrations in supporting federal and local development agendas.
The statement from Alli’s campaign team underscores a broader political narrative that seeks to position him as a defender of constitutional governance and decentralization. By highlighting Makinde’s alleged failures, Alli aims to appeal to voters concerned about transparency, accountability, and equitable development. As the 2027 elections draw closer, this issue may become a key point of contention between major political players in Oyo State and beyond.
With local government reforms gaining increasing attention nationwide, Alli’s remarks could influence public discourse on governance models and electoral choices. The coming months will likely see more detailed policy proposals and debates on how best to strengthen Nigeria’s decentralized governance structure.
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