The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Oyo State Government have engaged in a heated dispute over the funding of the state’s 50th anniversary celebration, with the opposition alleging that billions of naira were improperly sourced from local government allocations to finance the event.
In a statement issued in Ibadan, the APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, accused Governor Seyi Makinde of directing the 33 local government councils to contribute N90 million each from their federal allocations to support the anniversary activities.
According to the party, the deductions amounted to about N2.97 billion, excluding additional funds it claimed were drawn from the state treasury. The APC described the celebration as poorly organised and questioned the justification for the alleged expenditure.
The party alleged that the anniversary programme, which featured activities such as an air show, award presentations, souvenir Ankara fabrics, and novelty football matches, did not reflect value for the huge sums reportedly spent. It further accused the governor of mismanaging public funds and using state resources to support partisan interests.
The APC also claimed that public funds had previously been used for political activities and projects linked to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging the governor to prioritise prudent management of state resources.
Oyo State, created on February 3, 1976, marked its golden jubilee with a series of events celebrating its history, culture, and development.
Responding to the allegations, the PDP in Oyo State dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated. The party’s Public Relations Officer, Michael Ogunsina, said the anniversary celebration was intended to honour the state’s heritage, cultural diversity, and developmental progress, as well as recognise individuals who had contributed to its growth.
Ogunsina maintained that local government chairmen who supported the celebration did so voluntarily and were not coerced. He described their participation as a collective effort in the interest of the state.
He also criticised the APC for politicising what he described as a historic milestone, insisting that the celebration was successful and attracted prominent personalities from across Nigeria and beyond.
The PDP urged the opposition to focus on constructive engagement rather than spreading allegations, reiterating that the anniversary activities were conducted in the best interest of the people of Oyo State.
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