The Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party has taken a swipe at a group for accusing the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of financial misconduct, saying that such allegations lacked substantiated evidence.
The stakeholders of the party said that figures being circulated were entirely speculative and lacked any credible basis, adding that public finance in Oyo State is governed by established legal and institutional frameworks, including appropriation laws, due process mechanisms and oversight by relevant authorities. It noted that expenditures were neither arbitrary nor concealed.
The stakeholders’ statements were conveyed in a release on Sunday, issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Michael Ogunyinka, made available to the PUNCH’s correspondent in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
In the release titled: “Re: Baseless allegations of financial misconduct against Governor Seyi Makinde”, the party’s stakeholders said their reaction to the allegations was intended to prevent further spreading of misinformation.
The release reads in part: “The attention of stakeholders in the People’s Democratic Party, Oyo State Chapter, has been drawn to a publication credited to a group styling itself as the Save Oyo Movement, alleging that His Excellency, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde expended public funds running into billions of naira on political activities.
“Ordinarily, such claims would not merit a response. However, in the interest of setting the record straight and preventing the spread of misinformation, it has become necessary to address these unfounded allegations.
“First, the figures being circulated are entirely speculative and lack any credible basis. No verifiable document, budgetary reference, procurement record or audit trail has been presented to support the claims. Public finance in Oyo State is governed by established legal and institutional frameworks, including appropriation laws, due process mechanisms and oversight by relevant authorities. Expenditures are neither arbitrary nor concealed.
“Second, the attempt to link funds allocated for specific interventions to unrelated political activities is not only misleading but also insensitive. Matters concerning public welfare, particularly those involving victims of tragic incidents, should not be trivialised for political narratives. The administration of Governor Makinde has remained consistent in prioritising transparency, accountability and responsible governance in the management of public resources.
“Third, it is important to reiterate that Oyo State under Governor Makinde continues to record measurable progress across critical sectors ranging from infrastructure development to workers’ welfare, education, healthcare and security. These outcomes are visible, verifiable and reflective of prudent resource management.
“While citizens and groups have the right to demand accountability, such demands must be grounded in facts and presented through appropriate channels. Making sweeping allegations in the media without substantiation undermines public discourse and does a disservice to democratic engagement.
“We therefore urge members of the public to disregard these claims and rely on verified information from credible sources. The administration remains committed to openness, lawful governance and sustained development of Oyo State.”
It will be recalled that SOM reportedly criticised the Makinde-led administration for alleged financial mismanagement, accusing the governor of wasting over a billion on the failed coronation of High Chiefs in Ibadan, among other expenditures.
Meanwhile, the state PDP stakeholders have described the latest press statement issued by the Oyo APC as not only disingenuous but a calculated exercise in political amnesia, selective morality, and intellectual dishonesty.
In a statement on Sunday, issued by the state PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Michael Ogunsina, the party said that attempts to drag Governor Makinde into a manufactured controversy would fail. It added that Nigerians were not unaware of the emerging pattern of misrepresentation targeted at opposition figures who consistently challenge power with facts and accountability.
“The Oyo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has taken due notice of the latest press statement issued by the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress, and finds it not only disingenuous but a calculated exercise in political amnesia, selective morality, and intellectual dishonesty.
“Attempts to drag Governor Makinde into manufactured controversy will fail. Nigerians are not unaware of the emerging pattern of misrepresentation targeted at opposition figures who consistently challenge power with facts and accountability.
“The PDP wishes to reiterate that democracy is not a monologue. It is not the preservation of one political voice amplified while others are muted. It is a marketplace of ideas, not a monopoly of opinions,” Ogunsina said.
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