Oyo Governor and APC Candidate Trade Criticisms Over Projects

In a public spat that underscores the intensifying political rivalry in Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate Sharafadeen Alli have exchanged barbs over their professional backgrounds and the efficacy of state-funded projects. The conflict began on Friday, September 19, 2026, when Governor Makinde, while addressing supporters, took a swipe at Alli's legal career. "If you like, go and vote for someone who claimed to be a lawyer but has never entered a courtroom," Makinde said, challenging Alli to mention any case he has handled. Makinde, who is also the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, highlighted his own qualifications as an engineer and fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, contrasting them with his opponents' credentials. The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation swiftly responded on Saturday, September 20, with a detailed statement from its director of media and publicity, Bisi Oladele. The campaign questioned Makinde's engineering prowess, pointing to the state's streetlight project.