Right Of Reply: Otunba Saheed Bamiji Makinde : Law Is Not the Issue; Performance, Leadership and Results Are ||▪︎ By Wale Omoboyesola
By Wale Omoboyesola
The attempt to turn Governor Seyi Makinde’s comment about Senator Sharafadeen Alli and his legal practice into a “Law 101” lecture misses the real issue.
Nobody says studying Law means a person must spend his entire life in a courtroom. Lawyers can become politicians, administrators, lecturers, ministers and governors. The issue is not Senator Alli’s profession; the issue is leadership, performance, record and results.
A law degree does not automatically make anybody a good governor, just as being an engineer does not make somebody a bad governor. Governor Seyi Makinde studied Engineering, yet his responsibility as governor is to provide leadership and manage the affairs of Oyo State—not to operate machines.
Therefore, if Senator Alli’s supporters argue that his political experience qualifies him to govern Oyo State, then Oyo people are equally entitled to examine that experience.
He is a Senator, yes. But what has he contributed to the National Assembly? What bills has he sponsored or substantially contributed to? What motions and interventions has he made? What measurable benefits can his constituents point to?
The same questions should be asked about his previous public offices, including his tenure as a Local Government Chairman. There were periods when local government workers went on strike, and the consequences were felt at the grassroots. Senator Alli should be given the opportunity to explain what happened, what measures he took and what lessons he learnt.
That is not an attack. It is accountability.
There is also the question of public visibility. At a time when governorship aspirants should be making themselves available for open and unbiased assessment, Senator Alli should engage more directly with the public.
Adekanmbi has appeared on Arise TV, while Adekanmbi and Oriyomi have also used platforms such as the Morayo Show to articulate their positions. Senator Alli should equally make himself available for comparable public engagements where journalists and citizens can question him directly.
The point is not that appearing on television makes anybody a better candidate. Rather, a person seeking to govern Oyo State should be willing to face public scrutiny.
Political packaging, endorsements, posters and social-media publicity are not substitutes for answering difficult questions.
Tell Oyo people your plans for education, healthcare, workers, pensioners, employment, infrastructure, security, local government and the economy. Explain what you learnt from your previous responsibilities and what you intend to do differently.
The same standard must, of course, apply to Governor Makinde. He should defend his eight-year record, while his opponents should identify shortcomings and present credible alternatives.
Nobody should get a free pass.
If Senator Alli’s supporters say he has the experience to govern Oyo State, let that experience be examined. If they say his senatorial record is exceptional, let them present the evidence. If they believe he can do better, let them explain how.
A law degree is not a governorship. A senatorial mandate is not a governorship. A political title is not a governorship.
The governorship requires active leadership, sound judgment, administrative capacity and demonstrable results.
Senator Sharafadeen Alli has every constitutional and democratic right to aspire to govern Oyo State. But he should also make himself available to the people for open scrutiny.
The packaging must stop; accountability based on stewardship must begin.
Let Makinde defend his record.
Let Alli defend his record.
Let every other aspirant defend his or her record.
Let the programmes speak.
Let the evidence speak.
Let the people listen, compare the facts and make their own decision.
Oyo State deserves an issue-based campaign—not “Amebo talk.”
Let the records speak.
