Alao to Makinde: Running multiple budgets undermines fiscal prudence

By Seyifunmi Odunuga

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao (Allow Alao), has come hard on Governor Seyi Makinde, for persistently running multiple budgets since taking office in 2019.

Alao in a statement by his Media Office, while reacting to the recently approved N299.8 billion supplementary budget passed by the state House of Assembly, said the repeated supplementation inflates budgetary figures beyond reason and complicates transparent management of public funds.

Alao stated that the practice undermines fiscal discipline and invites corruption.
He said, “Since Governor Makinde assumed office in May 2019, his administration has routinely requested and secured supplementary budgets alongside the annual approved budgets.

“For instance, the original 2025 budget recently signed into law stands at approximately N684 billion, with significant allocations focused on infrastructure (about N152 billion, 22.5%), education (about N145 billion, 21.4%), and economic stabilization.”

He added that supplementary budgets over the years have increased overall spending ceilings to about N984 billion – nearly 45 per cent above the initial budget.
Alao emphasized that such sharp increases raise serious concerns about fiscal prudence from the administration of Governor Makinde.

“The pattern of allocating additional funds to sectors such as education and health, which already have dedicated lines in the main budget, further complicates financial management.

“This duplication not only confuses budget tracking but weakens fiscal discipline,” he noted.

He further stated that data from recent reports revealed that budget implementation remains suboptimal.

“For example, the 2024 budget had only about 65 per cent implementation as of the third quarter, with hopes to reach 70-80 per cent in 2025.

“The first quarter of 2025 saw just 21.9 per cent realization of recurrent revenue and roughly 11.4 per cent actual capital expenditure, signalling delays or inefficiencies in translating budget provisions into tangible outcomes.

“This ongoing practice of running multiple budgets hampers effective monitoring, complicates fund tracking, and raises the risks of corruption and mismanagement”, he said.
Alao, who has always criticized Governor Makinde’s misplaced priorities, highlighted that these fiscal issues are compounded by wasteful spending.

He pointed out that the United States Embassy in Nigeria condemned Governor Makinde’s extravagance, particularly regarding the lavish renovation of the Government House, underscoring broader concerns over fiscal discipline in the state.

“This development raises uncomfortable questions about resource prioritization and governance in the state”, Alao stated.

He then urged the government to return to a single, realistic annual budget to protect public funds, restore transparency, and deliver improved socio-economic outcomes for the people of Oyo State.