Oyo govt dismisses Sanusi’s claim of absence from NEC meetings

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Oyo State Government has dismissed claims by businessman Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi that the state has been absent from National Economic Council (NEC) meetings, insisting that Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal has consistently represented it at the council’s deliberations.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the government said Governor Seyi Makinde had formally notified the vice-president, who chairs the council, of the arrangement for Lawal to represent the state. It described Sanusi’s claim as misleading, maintaining that states could be represented at NEC meetings by either their governors or deputy governors.

The government said Makinde’s absence from some meetings did not mean Oyo State was unrepresented or had failed to protect its interests. It maintained that Lawal had consistently attended the meetings since 2025, participating in deliberations on behalf of the state.

According to the statement, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning also provided technical support to the state’s delegation to ensure that its positions were adequately presented and backed by relevant expertise during the council’s engagements.

The government explained that NEC provides a platform for cooperation between the Federal Government and state governments on economic policies, development programmes and investment opportunities. It said the council deliberates on key areas, including agriculture, infrastructure, human capital development, digital enterprise, food security and climate resilience.

It added that participation in NEC was important to Oyo State’s development agenda, particularly in strengthening collaboration with the Federal Government and development partners and accessing national programmes. However, the administration argued that the effectiveness of such participation should be assessed based on the quality of representation, the issues raised, opportunities identified and benefits secured, rather than the governor’s physical presence at every meeting.

“The effectiveness of participation should therefore be assessed not merely by the physical presence of the governor at meetings, but by the quality of representation, the issues advanced, the opportunities identified, and the tangible benefits secured for the state,” the statement said. The government further insisted that Oyo State had neither forfeited any benefits nor been sidelined in the council’s deliberations.

The government also questioned the political context of Sanusi’s criticism, alleging that his recent political positions might have influenced his comments. While acknowledging citizens’ right to express opinions on governance, it urged public commentators to base their claims on verifiable facts and established procedures, maintaining that the state remained actively represented at NEC meetings.