Oyo Assembly denies secret approval of Makinde’s N300bn loan

By Adejayan Gbenga –

The Oyo State House of Assembly has strongly refuted claims by Hon. Ibrahim Shittu, the lawmaker representing Saki West State Constituency, that members were not properly informed before approving Governor Seyi Makinde’s N300 billion loan request.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and jointly signed by the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, and the Chairman of the Committee on Information, Hon. Waheed Akintayo, the Assembly described Shittu’s remarks as false, misleading, and a reflection of his lack of commitment to legislative duties.

According to the leadership, the emergency plenary session held on August 19, 2025, was duly communicated to all members through the Assembly’s official platform. A screenshot of the notification circulated by the Majority Leader was cited as evidence that lawmakers were informed ahead of the sitting.

The Assembly explained that emergency plenaries are constitutional and widely practiced across legislatures in Nigeria, including the National Assembly. It noted that such sessions are often convened to handle urgent matters of public importance.

On the controversial N300 billion loan, the Assembly clarified that N149 billion was earmarked to refinance an existing facility with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), while the remaining N151 billion would go toward infrastructure development and financing contractors. The leadership accused Shittu of deliberately misrepresenting the figures to gain political attention.

The lawmakers also raised concerns about Shittu’s performance, describing him as the least active member of the 10th Assembly. Records indicate that his attendance at plenary sessions stood at just 20 percent, with frequent absence from key sittings, including budget presentations and oversight visits.

They further alleged that the Saki West lawmaker had neither sponsored a bill nor moved any motion since the beginning of his tenure, insisting that his silence in legislative debates and poor participation in committee assignments undermined his constituents.

Reaffirming its commitment to accountability and transparency, the Assembly urged members of the public to disregard Shittu’s claims, stressing that the legislature would continue to prioritize good governance and due process in all its decisions.