…COYYM Condemns Political Distraction, Calls for Accountability, Responsible Opposition and Issue-Based Politics
The Leadership of the Coalition of Yoruba Youth Movement (COYYM) expresses its strong displeasure over the recent protest reportedly staged by some supporters of Senator Sharafa Ali, allegedly seeking to associate their grievances or political demands with the administration of the Governor of Oyo State.
While we recognise the constitutional right of citizens to peaceful protest, freedom of expression and political participation, we firmly believe that such rights must be exercised with responsibility, sound reasoning and a clear understanding of governmental responsibilities.
Protests should be driven by legitimate concerns, verifiable facts and constructive demands, rather than political sentiments or attempts to transfer responsibility from one public officeholder to another.
Our position is clear: a senator’s performance must be assessed on the basis of his own responsibilities, just as a governor must be judged by the performance of his administration.
THE SENATE IS NOT THE GOVERNORSHIP
It is important to remind the people of Oyo State that the office of a Senator is constitutionally distinct from that of a State Governor. A Senator is elected to represent the interests of constituents at the National Assembly, participate in lawmaking, exercise oversight over the executive arm of the Federal Government, contribute to national budgetary processes and advocate for the development of his or her constituency.
Similarly, a Governor is responsible for providing leadership at the state level, implementing state policies, managing public resources within the state’s jurisdiction, coordinating public services and pursuing programmes that promote the welfare and development of the people.
These responsibilities are different, and the performance of one officeholder cannot automatically be attributed to another.
Therefore, where questions arise concerning constituency representation, legislative performance, constituency projects, federal interventions or the utilisation of resources allocated to a Senator’s office, the appropriate response is to demand transparency, evidence of performance and accountability from the person entrusted with that mandate.
It is neither logical nor fair to make the Governor of Oyo State a convenient target for grievances that fall within the responsibilities of another elected public official.
PUBLIC OFFICE IS A RESPONSIBILITY, NOT A PRIVILEGE
COYYM believes that every elected official must be prepared to account for the trust, mandate and public resources entrusted to them.
The office of a Senator comes with institutional responsibilities, public funding and constituency-related provisions intended to support legislative duties and representation. These provisions must translate into meaningful service, effective representation, credible advocacy and measurable contributions to the welfare of constituents.
The people deserve to know what their representatives have achieved, the challenges they have addressed, the projects they have facilitated and the legislative interventions they have pursued on their behalf.
However, any specific allegation concerning the performance, funding or expenditure of a public official must be supported by verifiable facts. Public accountability should be based on evidence, not assumptions, personal attacks or political propaganda.
We therefore encourage constituents and political stakeholders to ask legitimate questions about the performance of their representatives. Such questions are essential to democratic development and should never be misconstrued as hostility towards any individual.
GOVERNOR SEYI MAKINDE’S ADMINISTRATION MUST BE JUDGED ON ITS RECORD
The Coalition of Yoruba Youth Movement maintains that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde should be evaluated objectively on the basis of its policies, programmes, achievements, challenges and overall impact on the people of Oyo State.
Where the administration has delivered positive results, those results should be acknowledged. Where there are shortcomings, they should be identified through constructive criticism and addressed through democratic engagement.
No administration should be beyond scrutiny, but neither should any administration be subjected to politically motivated attacks without credible justification.
Oyo State deserves political discourse that places development above personal interests, public welfare above political rivalry and accountability above propaganda.
We reject any attempt to create unnecessary political tension by dragging the Governor into controversies that have not been logically or factually connected to the responsibilities of his office.
The question is simple: What has each public officeholder done with the mandate given to them by the people?
That is the standard by which elected officials should be assessed.
A FAILED SENATOR WILL BE A FAILED GOVERNOR: OYO STATE DOES NOT NEED FAILURE.
Our central message is that leadership is a responsibility that requires competence, accountability, vision, integrity and a demonstrable commitment to public service.
An individual who seeks higher political office must be prepared to present a credible record of service, explain past decisions and demonstrate the capacity to manage greater responsibilities. Political ambition alone is not proof of leadership competence.
Although service in the legislature and service in the executive differ in their constitutional functions, both require discipline, sound judgment, effective engagement with the people and a commitment to delivering results.
Consequently, any politician aspiring to govern Oyo State must be ready to demonstrate the capacity to lead, unite and develop the state. The people must not be expected to surrender their future to slogans, political intimidation or manufactured controversies.
Oyo State does not need a failure in the Senate, nor does it need a failure in the Government House. Oyo State needs competent, accountable, visionary and people-oriented leadership.
This is not a declaration that any individual is automatically incapable of performing in another office. Rather, it is a demand that every aspirant must demonstrate competence, present a credible record and earn the confidence of the electorate through responsible public service.
OUR MESSAGE TO POLITICAL ACTORS AND SUPPORTERS
COYYM calls on political supporters, party loyalists and other stakeholders to exercise restraint and conduct their political activities with maturity. Peaceful protest is a legitimate democratic instrument, but it should not become a means of misleading the public, shifting responsibility or creating divisions among the people.
We urge all political actors to embrace issue-based engagement, transparent public debate and constructive criticism. If there are legitimate concerns about the performance of any elected official, the appropriate institutions and democratic channels should be used to demand answers.
We also call on the people of Oyo State, particularly young people, to remain politically conscious, intellectually alert and committed to holding every elected official accountable, irrespective of party affiliation, personal relationships or political interests.
The future of our state must not be sacrificed on the altar of political sentiment.
CONCLUSION
The Coalition of Yoruba Youth Movement reiterates that accountability must begin with the individual entrusted with a particular public mandate. A Senator must account for his legislative responsibilities and representation, while a Governor must account for the governance of the state.
No political officeholder should be shielded from scrutiny, and no public official should be unfairly blamed for responsibilities outside the scope of their office.
Our commitment is to a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Oyo State where leadership is measured by service, political ambition is supported by competence, and public resources produce meaningful benefits for the people.
Oyo State deserves better than political distractions. Oyo State deserves accountable leadership. Oyo State deserves performance, not excuses.
A FAILED SENATOR WILL BE A FAILED GOVERNOR — OYO STATE DOES NOT NEED FAILURE!
Signed:
Comrade Olalere Benedict Adetunji
President
Coalition of Yoruba Youth Movement (COYYM)
