The campaign organisation of Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, has accused Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi of fabricating allegations against the senator in a desperate attempt to rescue himself from political drowning ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO), in a statement issued on Saturday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Bisi Oladele, described Adekanmbi’s allegations during a radio interview as falsehoods designed to tarnish Alli’s reputation and undermine his growing political acceptability.

The organisation accused Adekanmbi of distorting historical facts and exploiting past challenges in local government administration to score cheap political points rather than engaging in constructive discussions on Oyo State’s development.SSACO recalled that Alli, during his tenure as Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, maintained a record of prompt salary payments and commitment to workers’ welfare, earning recognition from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State.

It explained that the financial difficulties experienced by local governments following the Federal Military Government’s January 1993 policy on staff promotions and salary increases were nationwide challenges arising from inadequate funding to implement the policy.

According to the campaign organisation, the crisis persisted beyond Alli’s tenure and was subsequently addressed through institutional interventions, including the establishment of the National Primary Education Commission in 1997 and the introduction of first-line charges for teachers’ salaries by 1999.Challenging Adekanmbi to substantiate his corruption allegations, SSACO demanded that he produce the report on which his claims were based or face a defamation suit.

The organisation accused Adekanmbi and his political associates of attempting to mislead the electorate by weaponising historical challenges against Alli, insisting that such tactics would not diminish the senator’s political standing.It also took a swipe at the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, accusing it of weakening local government administration and depriving communities of the benefits of effective grassroots governance.

SSACO said Alli, if elected governor in 2027, would revitalise the state’s 33 local government areas by strengthening their administrative and financial capacities and empowering them to respond effectively to the needs of their people.

It identified the reconstruction of feeder and access roads as a key priority, noting that improved rural road networks would facilitate the movement of people and goods, stimulate economic activities and strengthen connections between communities and markets.The campaign organisation expressed confidence that voters would reject what it described as the failed political tactics of Adekanmbi and the Makinde administration in 2027.

It urged Adekanmbi to abandon what it called a campaign of allegations and engage in issue-based discourse, insisting that the people of Oyo State deserved credible arguments and practical solutions rather than attempts to distort history for partisan advantage.