Weaponising Mohammed’s routine diplomatic courtesy exposes Alli’s desperation, fear of imminent defeat

The statement issued by the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation is not just desperate, it is a loud confession from an organisation that already senses the inevitability of defeat. In its frantic attempt to weaponise Governor Bala Mohammed’s routine diplomatic courtesy, the organisation reveals more about its own insecurity than any supposed vulnerability in Governor Seyi Makinde’s political standing. What should have been recognised as a simple, harmless acknowledgment of federal efforts has instead been twisted into propaganda, exposing the depth of fear driving Alli’s camp as the election draws nearer.

Governor Bala Mohammed’s remarks were exactly what they appeared to be: a routine gesture of intergovernmental courtesy. His acknowledgment of federal efforts was the kind of polite, administrative diplomacy governors extend to the centre when collaboration yields results. It was not an endorsement of President Bola Tinubu, not a shift in political allegiance, and certainly not a denial of Governor Makinde’s leadership. To inflate such a simple courtesy into a political earthquake is to ignore both context and common sense. It reveals a campaign grasping for relevance, not one grounded in reality.

Governors across Nigeria routinely commend federal interventions when they benefit their states. This is governance, not politics. Governor Makinde himself acknowledged the role of the Federal Government in the rescue of those kidnapped in Oriire on May 15 this year. Governor Bala Mohammed’s comment fits squarely within this tradition. It does not erase his earlier description of Makinde as being the best suited for the presidency, nor does it confer any strategic advantage on the APC at either the national or state level. No alliance was formed, no defection announced, and no political concession made. The APC gains nothing from this moment, and the political landscape remains unchanged.

What is most revealing is the frantic energy with which the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation tries to twist a harmless remark into a grand political narrative. Their eagerness to weaponise a simple compliment exposes a deeper fear, the fear of facing an electorate that has already made up its mind. They understand the strength of Makinde’s governance record, his connection with the people, and the credibility he has built over time. They know that every passing day strengthens his profile, not weakens it.

Indeed, Makinde’s profile continues to rise because Nigerians are increasingly looking toward a Nigeria that can be reset under Makinde, a leader capable of making the country work for its citizens. His steady, pragmatic, and people centred style resonates with a national yearning for competence and sincerity. In a political climate where citizens are tired of empty rhetoric and recycled promises, Makinde’s approach stands out as refreshing and reassuring. This rising profile is precisely what unsettles the Alli Campaign Organisation.

Unable to counter Makinde’s performance with substance, they resort to distortion, hoping that noise might substitute for substance. They cling to anything to diminish Makinde’s growing influence. But this frantic grasping will not save them. Their attempt to diminish Makinde will not alter voter sentiment, will not weaken his base, and will not rescue them from the defeat they are trying so hard to avoid.

The organisation’s statement is loud, hollow, and entirely disconnected from political reality. It is a smokescreen designed to distract from their own lack of traction in the political space. The people of Oyo State are not fooled by such theatrics. They have seen Makinde’s work, felt its impact, and watched his leadership evolve with consistency and clarity. No amount of spin can erase that.

Furthermore, the attempt to portray Bala Mohammed’s diplomatic courtesy as a political earthquake is intellectually dishonest. It trivialises the norms of governance and reduces intergovernmental cooperation to petty point scoring. Nigerians understand the difference between genuine political alignment and routine administrative acknowledgment. The Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation’s attempt to blur that line only highlights its own desperation.

As the gubernatorial election approaches, it is clear that the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation is afraid of imminent defeat. Their behaviour reflects a campaign that has run out of ideas, out of momentum, and out of credible narratives. Clinging to Bala Mohammed’s comment will not change their fate. The electorate is determined to keep them perpetually away from the Agodi Government House.

Signed

Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju

Co-Director (Media and Publicity), Oyo State APM Governorship Campaign Council

October 6, 2026