…accuse governor of misplaced priorities, urge cancellation
Opposition parties in Oyo State have condemned the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration over the approval of N63.5 billion for the renovation of the State Government House, describing the move as insensitive and a gross misplacement of priorities.
The controversy follows last week’s announcement by the state government that the sum of ₦63,479,858,000 had been earmarked for the comprehensive overhaul of the Government House. An additional ₦131.7 million was also approved for the employment of professional gardeners to maintain green areas within the facility.
Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, who confirmed the approvals in a statement, defended the decision, saying the existing state of the Government House was “an embarrassment” and unbefitting for the leadership of the state.
He added that both the governor and his deputy had been residing in their personal homes due to the poor state of the official residences.
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo has kicked against the plan, calling for its immediate cancellation.
The party described the renovation project as “a height of profligacy, insensitivity and impunity,” warning that such an extravagant expenditure could worsen the economic challenges of the state.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC accused Makinde of prioritising personal comfort over the welfare of Oyo people.
“It is shocking that all Governor Makinde could do to justify this reckless spending was to announce plans to purchase two aircrafts allegedly to combat insecurity. This is a familiar pattern of financial recklessness that defines his administration,” the statement read in part.
Sadare further recalled a similar outcry in 2019 when the government allegedly produced over 200,000 copies of exercise books at N2,100 each, a development which the party also described as wasteful.
He argued that the Government House, renovated in 2017 by the previous administration led by Senator Abiola Ajimobi, remained structurally sound and did not require such a massive allocation.
Also joining the criticism, the Oyo chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) accused the Makinde administration of inflating the cost of the renovation project and ignoring more pressing issues facing the state.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kayode Babayomi, the AAC said: “It is appalling that Governor Makinde is choosing luxury at a time the majority of Oyo residents are grappling with decaying healthcare infrastructure and poor public education.”
The party argued that the renovation budget exceeded the allocation to the health sector in the state’s 2025 budget by over N5 billion. It also noted that the figure is three times the healthcare budget of the previous year and surpasses the 2023 education budget.
“This shows that the government is focusing on trivial projects while neglecting the basic needs of the people,” the AAC said.
Meanwhile, Governor Makinde has defended the project, attributing the high cost to fluctuations in the exchange rate.
Speaking during a special plenary session of the State House of Assembly, he said the volatile naira-dollar exchange rate had significantly driven up project costs across sectors.
Despite his explanation, the backlash continues to mount, with civil society groups and stakeholders reportedly planning protests to demand a reversal of the project.
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This report was produced for PLATFORM TIMES
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