Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has fired back at the Federal Government over the 110-kilometre Ibadan Circular Road, accusing Abuja of taking credit for a project he says is being 100 per cent funded and executed by the Oyo State Government.
Makinde's reaction followed a Federal Government advertorial published in two pages of The Punch newspaper, where the Ibadan Circular Road was listed among projects highlighted as part of the Federal Government's achievements.
Although the advertorial described the road as a “state-led” project, Makinde rejected the description, insisting that the Federal Government had no involvement in its execution.
In a disclaimer posted on his official campaign X account on Friday, the governor said the Federal Government should stop presenting the project as one of its achievements.
“The 110km Circular Road project is being constructed by the H.E. Seyi Makinde-led Oyo State Government. The Federal Government needs to stop claiming the project as one of its own achievements. The project is not ‘state-led’ as stated in today’s Punch Newspaper; it is 100% being executed by the OYSG,” he said.
Makinde also linked the controversy to an earlier disagreement over the upgrade of the Ladoke Akintola International Airport in Ibadan, where he has similarly disputed claims of Federal Government funding.
The governor took particular aim at Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike over his reported claim that the Federal Government provided ₦50 billion for the airport upgrade.
Wike had reportedly said the Tinubu administration provided the funds to support the project, but Makinde rejected the claim, insisting that the Oyo State Government had not received the alleged ₦50 billion.
“This penchant for stealing OYSG projects needs to stop! The other day, Minister Nyesom Wike lied that the FG gave Oyo State N50B for the Ibadan Airport upgrade project,” Makinde said.
The governor also alleged that federal officials, including a member of the House of Representatives, had sought to associate themselves with the airport project.
Makinde maintained that the Circular Road and the Ibadan Airport upgrade are projects being undertaken by the Oyo State Government, urging the Federal Government to stop what he described as repeated attempts to take credit for state projects.
The 110-kilometre Ibadan Circular Road remains one of the major infrastructure projects of the Makinde administration and is expected to improve connectivity around Ibadan while providing an alternative route for motorists and reducing pressure on existing roads.
The latest clash adds to the growing political exchanges between Makinde and officials of the Federal Government ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While Makinde maintains that Oyo State is solely responsible for the financing and execution of the Circular Road, the Federal Government's description of the project as “state-led” has now triggered a fresh dispute over who should receive credit for the project.
Post a Comment