Oyo APC to Makinde: Cancel N63.5bn govt house renovation, it’s a waste of resources
Seyi Makinde gets criticised by APC.
The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to immediately cancel the planned ₦63.5 billion renovation of the Government House in Agodi, Ibadan. The opposition party described the expenditure as wasteful, unjustifiable, and a clear case of misplaced priority at a time when the majority of residents are grappling with economic hardship.
In a statement released by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC criticised the Oyo State Executive Council for approving such a hefty budget for cosmetic upgrades to an already functional Government House. According to the party, the structure was last renovated in 2017 under the administration of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi and does not currently require the level of spending being proposed.
Beyond the Government House refurbishment, the APC also raised concerns over other recent financial commitments by the Makinde-led government, including ₦132 million allocated for gardening services and ₦14.3 billion earmarked for the installation of an Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the state-owned Ladoke Akintola Airport. The opposition party said these projects suggest a growing pattern of extravagance, particularly as the governor also reportedly plans to procure two aircraft for aerial security surveillance.
The APC alleged that these actions point to an administration more focused on self-serving prestige projects than on improving the welfare of the people. They warned that the proposed aircraft acquisition may serve as a pretext for siphoning public funds under the guise of security, especially in the absence of transparent procurement processes.
In addition, the party accused the government of contract splitting in relation to the airport upgrade, citing an initial ₦10 billion allocation that has now been topped with another ₦14.3 billion. They demanded clarity on how these funds are being spent and insisted that taxpayers deserve full disclosure.
The APC also drew attention to past controversies under the current administration, including the 2019 report that the government spent ₦2,100 per exercise book supplied to public school students—a cost many critics deemed suspiciously inflated. According to the party, these incidents form a troubling pattern of financial recklessness and disregard for the pressing needs of ordinary citizens, particularly in sectors like health, education, and rural development.
With local political tensions intensifying ahead of future elections, the APC’s statement is likely to spark further debate around the state’s spending habits and Governor Makinde’s stewardship of public resources. The party concluded by urging the people of Oyo State to speak out against what it described as “a culture of wasteful governance dressed in the robe of innovation.”
