By Seyifunmi Odunuga
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former gubernatorial aspirant of the party, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao (Allow Alao), has come hard on Governor Seyi Makinde, accusing him of prioritizing political showmanship over the genuine needs of citizens of the state.
Alao in a release on Sunday by his Media Office, vehemently condemned Makinde’s 2025 State of the State Address and budgetary decisions, stating that they expose a disturbing pattern of gross mismanagement, misinformation, and misplaced priorities that threaten the welfare of the people of the state.
According to him, despite a ₦678 billion budget, with half devoted to capital expenditure, the state continues to grapple with soaring debt repayments—external debt servicing alone surged by 143.7% in the first half of 2024—placing an unbearable burden on taxpayers already struggling in one of the South-West’s most economically strained states.
“Even in education, Makinde’s claims of recruiting over 14,000 staff and upgrading 105 rural schools out of 2004 public schools are contradicted by persistent teacher shortages, fallen roofs, dilapidated classrooms across all local government areas in the State, and opaque recruitment processes.
“This is despite ₦145 billion allocated to education, highlighting a failure to translate funds into tangible improvements,” Alao stated.
On healthcare, he said the ₦59 billion allocation remains grossly inadequate. “Facilities are understaffed, medicines are in short supply, and rural access is poor. 
“Even the governor’s touted health initiatives amount to little more than political rhetoric, disconnected from the harsh reality of inadequate medical equipment, long patient wait times, and substandard care at most government hospitals and primary healthcare centres across the state.”
Speaking on agriculture and rural infrastructure—vital sectors for the state’s economy — the Asiwaju of Irokoland, berated the governor for severe neglect, lamenting that only ₦18 billion was allocated, with many projects stalled or incomplete and the neglect directly undermining food security and economic stability.
Most egregiously, Alao condemned Governor Makinde’s plan to purchase aircraft for security and tourism—a move estimated to cost billions in acquisition and maintenance, saying “this is nothing but a reckless waste of public funds.
“This decision comes amid widespread hardship facing residents of Oyo State, making it an indefensible extravagance on the side of our governor.”
Alao also questioned why Oyo State would purchase costly aircraft when other states facing graver security challenges have refrained from such expensive ventures due to prohibitive costs and maintenance burdens.
“The governor’s refusal to consider more cost-effective and technologically superior alternatives like drones exposes a lack of fiscal responsibility and a fundamental misunderstanding of security needs.
“It is obvious that our governor is guilty of prioritizing political showmanship over the real needs of Oyo State’s citizens. The reckless plan to purchase aircraft and lavish spending amidst rising debt, failing education and healthcare systems, and neglected agriculture underscores a governance crisis that demands urgent accountability and redirection.
“The people of Oyo State deserve leadership that values transparency, prudence, and genuine development— not empty boasts and wasteful extravagance”, Alao concluded.
