Oyo @ 50: APC, Makinde Clash Over Alleged N2.9bn Spending

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde have engaged in a fierce war of words regarding the funding of the state's recently concluded 50th-anniversary celebrations. In a statement issued on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC accused the Governor of compelling the chairmen of the 33 local government councils to contribute N90 million each from their federal allocations to bankroll the event. The opposition party calculated that these deductions amounted to approximately N2.97 billion, exclusive of additional funds purportedly drawn from the state treasury.

Describing the anniversary celebration as "shambolic and poorly organised," the APC argued that the event lacked substance and value for money despite the huge expenditure. "Independent observers have noted that the entire 'Oyo at 50' show turned out to be a sham... converted into a conduit for the mismanagement and siphoning of public funds by the governor and his allies," the statement read. The party questioned the justification for spending over N3 billion on activities such as an air show, award ceremonies, and novelty football matches, labeling the expenditure as "outrageous."

Furthermore, the APC accused Governor Makinde of using public resources to sustain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that funds were diverted to finance party structures, including the construction of new secretariats and the purchase of vehicles for party officials. "Governor Makinde must stop wasting public funds on partisan projects immediately," Sadare demanded.

In a swift reaction, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State PDP, Michael Ogunsina, dismissed the allegations as "baseless and politically motivated." He defended the celebration as a necessary milestone to honor the state's history, cultural diversity, and developmental strides. Ogunsina argued that the involvement of local government chairmen was voluntary and in the best interest of the state. "If the executive chairmen of the 33 local governments chose to identify with the state government to celebrate the golden jubilee of Oyo State, how is that a bad thing?" he queried.

The PDP spokesman maintained that no local government chairman was coerced into contributing funds, insisting that they acted collectively for the common good. He accused the APC of spreading "desperate propaganda" and failing to appreciate the significance of an event that showcased the state's potential to the world. Ogunsina emphasized that the celebration was widely adjudged as successful, attracting national and global icons, and urged the opposition to engage constructively rather than politicizing a historic event.