Oyo APC tackles Makinde over Govt House renovation, aircraft purchase

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised Governor Seyi Makinde over the recent approval to spend N63.5 billion on the renovation of the Agodi Government House. The opposition party described the expenditure as wasteful and a reflection of financial recklessness.

Governor Makinde’s administration had announced the State Executive Council’s approval of N63.5 billion for the overhaul of the Government House structures. An additional N132 million was allocated for the hiring of professional gardeners to maintain the green areas, while another N14.3 billion was earmarked for the procurement of Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) at Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan.

Reacting in a statement issued in Ibadan, APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, condemned the approvals and accused the governor of mismanaging public funds. He said the Makinde-led government has continued a trend of funding white elephant projects with no clear justification.

“We watched keenly as concerned individuals and groups across the globe condemned the decision of Governor Makinde to record another ugly stride in his penchant for financial recklessness. Interestingly, many who initially dismissed our concerns in 2019 over the inflated cost of exercise books are now among his critics,” Sadare said.

The APC further claimed that the structures within the Government House were durable and had undergone a comprehensive renovation in 2017 by former Governor Abiola Ajimobi. The party described Makinde’s justification during his address to the Oyo State House of Assembly as a “futile attempt to cover up brazen corruption.”

The statement also raised concerns over what it described as “contract splitting” in the Alakia Airport upgrade. According to APC, after a full payment of N14.3 billion was initially made, the state government has continued to allocate fresh funds, including another N10 billion and then N14.3 billion again, raising questions about transparency.

The APC also slammed the governor’s alleged plan to purchase aircraft, describing it as an unnecessary expenditure at a time the state faces pressing security challenges. The party argued that the priority should be on motivating security agents and deploying technology.

“Aircraft are not what Oyo State needs at the moment to combat crime,” the party said. “What is needed is synergy among stakeholders, motivation of security personnel, and deployment of relevant technologies. The idea of surveillance via airplane is premature and only serves as a means for those in power to divert public funds.”