Makinde denies plans to use Oyo’s €55m French loan for 2027 campaign

By Adejayan Gbenga

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed claims that the state’s controversial €55 million French concessional loan could be used to finance his presidential campaign ahead of the 2027 election.

Makinde spoke on Friday while addressing workers at the frontage of the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, shortly after resuming official duties from his annual leave. He explained that the loan was secured specifically to support the development of Oyo State.

“I don’t need the French loan to fund any presidential campaign. The loan was secured for the development of Oyo State,” the governor said.

The controversy followed allegations by the campaign organisation of the Oyo State APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, that the facility, estimated at about N85 billion, could be diverted to politically motivated projects ahead of the 2027 elections. The organisation had consequently called for transparency in the utilisation of the funds.

However, Makinde reiterated that the loan was obtained for developmental purposes, recalling his earlier announcement that it would support the upgrading of one secondary healthcare facility in each of the state’s five zones. The initiative, he said, was part of efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across Oyo.

In a related development, the governor announced the extension of the wage award for state workers by another three months, citing prevailing economic hardship and the rising cost of living. He said the decision was intended to cushion the effects of economic pressures on workers and their families.

Makinde also assured workers that the transportation subsidy introduced by his administration would continue, noting that the intervention was designed to reduce the burden of transportation costs. The wage award and transport subsidy were among measures introduced by the state government following the removal of the petrol subsidy. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Oyo State Council, Comrade Kayode Martins, commended the administration’s interventions for workers and called for continued dialogue over the renewal of the minimum wage.

Earlier, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal said Makinde’s annual leave was in accordance with constitutional provisions and commended him for entrusting him with the affairs of the state during the period. The Head of Service, Dr. Adenike Fashina, and the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Muhammad Fadeyi, also welcomed the governor back to office.