By Seyifunmi Odunuga
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former gubernatorial aspirant, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao (AllowAlao), has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of using ₦11.57 villion taxpayers money on overseas trips in 2024 alone, without any Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), resulting from such expenditures.
Alao in a statement by his media office challenged Governor Seyi Makinde to come out and explain to the people of the state how he used ₦11.57 billion taxpayers money on overseas trips without any investment coming to the state.
The statement read in part, “There hasn’t been a single Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), you have brought to Oyo state since you came on board for the second. 
“You have used taxpayers money for globetrotting without anything to show for. You even took members of your cabinet on European tour up till now, there is nothing to show for it.
“Oyo State is currently facing significant food insecurity challenges. Yet our Governor has failed to prioritize agriculture; instead he is favouring real estate for pecuniary motives.
“Despite his promise in 2019 and appointment of Botswana citizen as Special Adviser, Oyo State is yet to export a single bag of maize to Botswana. “He has overlooked the farm settlement initiative that could have significantly boosted food production in Oyo State and the entire Southwest.
“Inflation rate in Oyo state has increased from 37.30 per cent in March 2024 to 38.37 per cent in April 2024, indicating a growing economic strain.
“The food inflation rate also rose, from 41.83 per cent in March to 43.53 per cent in April. Even now 88% of households in Oyo state experience some level of food insecurity, and 40.2% face severe food insecurity.
“Time has come for our Governor to be told the truth about seeming leadership incompetence. He should stop deceiving himself like Narcissus who fell in love with his reflection in the pool of water.
“Our Governor should be reminded that agriculture will play a greater part in salvaging our already bastardised economy.
“As the Governor promised to fix roads leading to the entertainment center, he commissioned few days ago and also provide the venue with Operation Burst and Amotekun; he should replicate this in all farm settlements in Oyo state.“As food insecurity worsens in Oyo State, it is essential for the governor to promote both commercial and individual farming.
“This initiative is crucial for achieving food sufficiency and ensuring that diverse agricultural outputs meet the nutritional needs of the growing population.”
Alao stated further that agriculture is vital for global sustainability and supporting livelihoods worldwide, noting that the governor should equally develop agriculture to create agro-processing job opportunities for the teeming youths in the state.
