Bala Mohammed’s Tinubu Praise Exposes Makinde’s Presidential Bid as ‘Smokescreen’ — Alli Campaign

The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation has described Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) as a political bargaining strategy, following remarks by Bauchi State Governor and APM national leader, Bala Mohammed, praising President Bola Tinubu’s performance.

ADVERTISE HERE:
[email protected]

Mohammed had publicly acknowledged that Tinubu had “done so well” in areas including finance, health and security.

Reacting in a statement, the Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign organisation, Bisi Oladele, said the remarks exposed what it described as contradictions surrounding Makinde’s presidential ambition.

The organisation argued that Mohammed’s acknowledgement of Tinubu’s performance was significant because of his position as a prominent figure in the political camp supporting Makinde’s presidential bid.

“If one of the principal promoters of Makinde’s presidential ambition truthfully admits that President Tinubu is doing well, what exactly is the justification for Makinde asking Nigerians to replace the President?” the campaign organisation asked.

It commended Mohammed for what it described as the courage to acknowledge Tinubu’s achievements rather than engaging in opposition for its own sake.

According to the organisation, Mohammed’s comments further strengthened its position that Makinde’s presidential ambition was less about securing the presidency and more about improving his negotiating position ahead of the 2027 political realignment.

“Alli noted that Makinde’s candidacy is increasingly becoming clearer as a smokescreen for negotiation, more like an attempt to arrive at the political bargaining table claiming a national following that simply does not exist,” the statement said.

The campaign organisation also recalled that Mohammed had previously endorsed Makinde and described him as the leader Nigeria needed, saying his latest comments on Tinubu raised questions about the cohesion and sustainability of the coalition backing Makinde.

It said political structures, numbers, credibility and alliances would ultimately determine the strength of any presidential ambition, rather than billboards, campaign offices and public declarations.

“A presidential candidate whose own political allies are validating the achievements of the incumbent has a serious credibility problem,” the organisation said.

The Alli Campaign Organisation advised Makinde to focus on his record in Oyo State and prepare for the 2027 transition rather than pursuing what it described as an improbable presidential project.

It said issues such as the state’s debt profile, local economy, infrastructure, education, healthcare and workers’ welfare were of greater concern to Oyo residents than Makinde’s presidential ambition.

The organisation, however, acknowledged that Makinde had a constitutional right to aspire to the presidency, but said he should not “mistake ambition for viability, publicity for popularity or political bargaining for a genuine national movement.”