The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation has criticised the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, for calling on President Bola Tinubu to step aside for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying the party should first build a strong political structure across the country.
The campaign organisation made the statement in reaction to the APM’s recent demand that Tinubu give way to Makinde, who the party is presenting as its presidential candidate.
It described the APM’s position as unrealistic, arguing that declaring a presidential ambition is different from having the organisation and support needed to contest a nationwide election.
The group said the APM should demonstrate its presence across the federation and show that it has enough candidates and structures to compete at different levels of the 2027 elections. It also questioned whether the party has candidates for elective positions across at least one-third of the country.
The campaign organisation further turned its attention to Makinde, saying the governor still faces political challenges in Oyo State despite his reported presidential ambition. It argued that any politician seeking the presidency should first be able to demonstrate strong political support within his home state.
The group said the 2027 presidential election would ultimately be decided by Nigerian voters rather than political statements or public declarations by parties and their supporters.
It also pointed to Tinubu’s bid for another term, noting that the president is seeking re-election under the All Progressives Congress, APC, which has an established political structure across the country.
According to the campaign organisation, Makinde’s national ambition does not remove the political contests awaiting him in Oyo State, where he would still have to contend with other political forces during the 2027 elections.
The group therefore urged the APM and its candidate to focus on building the necessary support and preparing for the decision of voters instead of assuming that the presidency could be secured through political declarations.
It maintained that the office of the president is determined through elections and that the final decision belongs to Nigerians at the ballot box.
The statement was signed by the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation.