The African Action Congress (AAC) Oyo State chapter has condemned the Seyi Makinde-led state government’s approval of over ₦64 billion for the renovation of the Government House in Agodi, Ibadan.
According to the party, the amount is “outrageous and unreasonable” and raises serious concerns about the government’s priorities.
In a statement signed by the AAC Chairman, Kayode Babayomi, on Thursday, the party noted that the allocation is ₦5 billion more than the healthcare budget for the state, which serves over 7 million people.
The party also pointed out that the proposed renovation cost exceeds the entire education budget for the state in 2023.
Babayomi described the situation as a “clear case of budget padding and systemic corruption” and urged the public to rise up and challenge the blatant misuse of resources.
He emphasized that the true development of a state is not measured by grand buildings but by the quality of life of its people.
The AAC chairman called on the people of Oyo State to join the party in demanding accountability and transparency from the government, stating that Makinde’s priorities do not align with the well-being of the people. He also urged the public to organize themselves to remove corrupt individuals from the political landscape.
The statement read: “The African Action Congress (AAC) Oyo State chapter has learnt that the Seyi Makinde-led Oyo State government has earmarked over 60 billion naira for renovations at the government house in Agodi. This enormous amount is not just alarming but raises serious concerns.
“It is sad that, amid the numerous challenges facing the people of Oyo, Makinde chooses to prioritize this extravagant renovation of the government house. He claims that the government house is “embarrassing and unbefitting.” However, what is truly unbefitting of the state is the condition of our primary and secondary schools, and what is embarrassing is the deplorable standard of healthcare available to our people.
“Interestingly, the amount budgeted for this renovation is 5 billion naira more than the allocation for healthcare, which is meant to serve over 7 million people in Oyo State, in the 2025 budget. This figure is also three times the amount that was budgeted for healthcare in the previous year, which saw only a 70% budget performance. Similarly, the proposed renovation cost exceeds the entire education budget for the state in 2023. This clearly indicates that the current government is focusing on trivial matters while neglecting critical issues.
“If we were to construct an entirely new government house, it should not cost half of what is being earmarked for this so-called renovation. You don’t need a professional engineer or builder to tell you that this situation reflects a clear case of budget padding and systemic corruption. Increased Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funding has led to more misappropriation rather than development, and the public must rise to challenge this blatant misuse of our resources.
“We, in the African Action Congress, assert that the true development of a state is not measured by grand buildings but by the quality of life of its people. This is the only standard by which both the public and future generations will assess their leaders.
“We urge the good people of Oyo State to join us in demanding accountability and transparency from this mediocre Seyi-led PDP government. Makinde’s priorities do not align with the well-being of the people of Oyo State. We must continue to organize ourselves to remove these corrupt individuals from our political landscape.”
