Follow Us on Google
From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
The Oyo State Government has condemned the exclusion of Governor Seyi Makinde from the flag-off ceremony of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road dualisation project held at Idi Ayunre in Oluyole Local Government Area of the state on Monday.
The state government described the development as a deliberate political act, arguing that the Federal Government took politics too far by failing to invite the governor to an event concerning a major federal road project located within Oyo State.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the government said the ceremony, attended by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, APC gubernatorial candidate Sharafadeen Alli and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, fell short of the expected significance of the occasion because of what it described as an unnecessary political undertone.
Oyelade said the explanation that Governor Makinde was not invited because he was on leave was unconvincing, noting that the state had a functional Acting Governor who could have represented him at the event.
According to him, the exclusion reflected a lack of political sagacity and confidence, while reducing what should have been an important infrastructure milestone to a political jamboree.
The commissioner, however, said Governor Makinde remained unperturbed by the development, adding that the governor regretted that the ceremony had been given a political colour.
“The course of 2027 is set, and no level of indecorum or desperation from whatever quarters will hold back the will of the people,” Oyelade said.
