David Akachukwu
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There has been a wave of mixed opinions following Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to allocate ₦63.5 billion for the renovation of the Oyo State Government House.
The Agodi Government House, formerly called Oke Ebo, dates back to the colonial period.
This residence has historically served as the official home for a series of governors—both military and civilian—who administered the region, from the era of the defunct Western Region to the present-day Oyo State.
Sources indicate that successive administrations have, at various times, undertaken renovations on the structure since its original construction.
Governor Makinde recently revealed his administration’s intention to carry out extensive refurbishment of the Government House.
He made this known during an event hosted in Ibadan, the state’s capital.
Speaking at the “State of the State” address delivered at the Oyo State House of Assembly, located within the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde highlighted that the state’s straightforward governance style and its policy initiatives have made Oyo an appealing spot for investment.
While addressing concerns related to the cost of overhauling the Government House, the governor attributed the rising expense to the volatility in foreign exchange rates and other contributing factors.
He also clarified that the proposed project would include rebuilding structures, rehabilitating roads, and upgrading auxiliary facilities within the Government House and surrounding chalets.
“Yesterday, I trended for the wrong reason, because people were saying we want to spend N63bn to renovate the Government House.
“My answer to them is just to point our attention to one thing and I want you to listen to me attentively.
“Before I came into office, the previous administration took a loan of $200m from the World Bank for the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP). As of the time I came in on May 29, 2019, that dollar-denominated loan was in the book of Oyo State as N70bn, because a dollar to a Naira was around N350. We were paying about N700 million every month to service the loan. But we finished the IUFMP, though, before I came in, $100m had been spent and $50m committed.
“This administration was supposed to spend N$50m to complete the projects but we did not spend the amount. We honoured all the commitments made by the previous administration, and returned $18m to the World Bank, which we didn’t spend. That was how we have managed the project prudently in Oyo State. But that is not even where I am going.
“My point is, in 2019 in the Oyo State books, N70bn was what Oyo State owed. Fast-forward to today, the IUFMP project is completed without adding one inch of drainage to the project, but simply by the exchange rate movement, Oyo State today owes N320bn. This is because the N70bn calculated as N350 to one dollar in 2019 is now the same amount, but it is now calculated at about N1,540 to the dollar. That is our reality. We have now moved from paying N700m on the IUFMP loan when I came in, to now paying N3bn to service that loan monthly now.
“Can we sleep when it is raining? Yes, because the IUFMP has basically tamed the issue of erosion. We have an Advanced Warning System installed in that place. But, my point is, to manage our exchange rate is not for me to determine in Oyo State. It is on the exclusive list. But whatever it is, we will do what is in the best interest of our state”.
Some stakeholders have expressed strong disapproval of the government’s proposed renovation plan.
Among those voicing concern are key opposition parties in Oyo State, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), as well as APC stalwart, Engineer Hakeem Oyedele Alao.
APC to Makinde: “Rescind Your Decision Immediately”
The Oyo State branch of the All Progressives Congress has urged Governor Seyi Makinde to reconsider and withdraw his plan.
This call was made through a statement released and signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Olawale Sadare.
Sadare, in the statement released on Sunday, urged the governor to reverse the decision to allocate ₦63.5 billion for the renovation of the Agodi Government House.
He criticized the move, describing it as an act of excessive spending, a lack of empathy, and an abuse of power—warning that it could further destabilize the state’s already fragile economy.
According to him, “We watched keenly as concerned individuals and groups across the globe condemned the decision of Gov. Makinde to record another ugly stride in his penchant for financial recklessness and wasting of public funds through the payment of huge sums on white elephant projects and misplaced priorities.
“Interestingly, most of those who did not take us seriously when we raised the alarm on the production of 212,505 copies of exercise books for public school pupils at the rate of N2100 per copy in 2019 are now the leading voices against the same Gov. Makinde.
“To make the matter, Gov. Makinde failed to justify the decision to expend so much billions on the renovation of structures which had been built to last decades several years ago and renovated to taste by the immediate past administration of the ever-neat and classy Senator Abiola Ajimobi in 2017.
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“All that played out in Gov. Makinde’s official address to the state lawmakers at the Oyo State House of Assembly on Thursday was a futile attempt to cover up a case of brazen corruption and impunity.
“At the same time, Gov. Makinde has a lot to tell the world about a criminal case of contract splitting which has been established in the ongoing upgrade of Alakia Airport because he has not explained why he had to release another N10billion and now N14.3billion for the the same project estimated to gulp N14.3billion to complete and after full payment had been made, the governor keeps making fresh budget as extra billions are being paid by the state government.
“On the issue of aircrafts, it is another conduit through which a few individuals around the corridor of power would siphon public funds.
“The best thing which Gov. Makinde would do is to pay for two new airplanes from the coffers of the state and then bring one tokunboh private jet which would move him and his cronies around the world at the expense of the masses.
“Meanwhile, aircrafts are not what Oyo state needs at the moment to combat crime but synergy among stakeholders, motivation of security agents and deployment of relevant technologies as the idea of surveillance with airplane is premature”.
SPN to Makinde: “This Is a Misplaced Priority”
The Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), Oyo State chapter, has criticized Governor Seyi Makinde’s renovation plan, labeling it a clear case of misplaced priority.
This position was outlined in a statement signed by the party’s Secretary, Ayodeji Adigun, and issued on Monday.
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SPN also challenged the governor’s effort to blame the state’s ongoing debt issues entirely on past governments, describing the move as both misleading and an attempt to avoid accountability.
“The attention of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), Oyo State Chapter, has been drawn to the justification by Engr. Seyi Makinde-led government for its decision to allocate the colossal sum of N63.4 billion for the renovation of the Government House.
“The administration’s claim that this expenditure is necessary to address the effects of exchange rate volatility and the burden of debt servicing is weak, fundamentally flawed, and completely lacks merit.
“We of the SPN, therefore, maintain that the approval of N63.4 billion for the renovation of the Government House, amidst deepening economic hardship faced by the overwhelming majority of working people in Oyo State, remains a glaring example of misplaced priorities.
“Governor Makinde’s attempt to attribute the current debt crisis solely to previous administrations is both disingenuous and evasive. While it is true that past governments contributed to the debt burden, the current administration has also significantly escalated the state’s debt profile through questionable expenditures and unsustainable borrowing.
“According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), as of 2019, before the Makinde-led administration took office, the total debt incurred by the successive governments, including the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi-led regime, stood at approximately N129 billion. This comprised N94 billion in domestic debt and N32 billion in external debt. However, within just 15 months of Governor Makinde’s tenure, this figure reportedly rose by N140 billion, bringing the total debt burden to around N266 billion.
“In light of this, it is both hypocritical and misleading to lay all the blame on previous administrations while ignoring the fiscal recklessness carried out by the current regime. Even more troubling is the administration’s decision to prioritise an extravagant and non-essential project like the renovation of the Government House, especially during a time of widespread economic distress.
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“The notion that exchange rate challenges and debt repayment obligations justify such lavish expenditure defies logic. If anything, these challenges should have prompted the government to cut the jumbo pays and opulent lifestyles of top government functionaries as well as its spending on prestige projects and cronyism, and instead channel scarce public resources into areas that directly address the critical needs of the working masses.
“Also deeply concerning is the simultaneous proposal to procure aircraft for security surveillance. While we recognise the importance of public safety, spending public funds on aircraft in a state where public hospitals lack basic medical equipment, public schools are in disrepair, and rural communities remain grossly underserved is both indefensible and irresponsible. These initiatives reveal a government more interested in prestige and luxury than in the real struggles of ordinary people”.
Hold Makinde Accountable – APC’s Alao Urges Lawmakers, Citizens
APC chieftain, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao, has called on members of the Oyo State House of Assembly and the general public to demand greater accountability from Governor Seyi Makinde.
In a statement released to the press, Alao criticized the governor’s reported intention to channel public funds into projects that are not included in the 2025 budget, labeling the move as a serious misjudgment and an irresponsible use of taxpayers’ money.
He urged both lawmakers and residents to insist on transparency in the handling of state resources.
According to Alao, all expenditures must adhere to legal processes and should be directed toward addressing the actual needs of the population.
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He stated that, “At a time when Oyo State is grappling with a growing debt profile and residents are facing untold economic hardship, it is unconscionable for Governor Makinde to contemplate such extravagant spending outside the approved budget.
“Official budget documents and the governor’s own presentation to the House of Assembly show that the largest allocation for 2025 is for infrastructure, with N152 billion earmarked for critical projects like roads and public facilities, not for the reconstruction of the Government House or luxury landscaping.
“Education and health receive N145 billion and N59 billion respectively, reflecting the real priorities of the people in this period of economic instability.
“The 2025 budget is supposed to address economic hardship, boost
education, and improve healthcare. Diverting funds to vanity projects not approved by the legislature is a betrayal of public trust and a slap in the face of suffering families across Oyo State”.
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Jonathan Nwokpor
