The Oyo State Government has condemned the exclusion of Governor Seyi Makinde from the flag-off ceremony of the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road held at Idi Ayunre in the Ido Local Government Area of the state on Monday.
The state government described the exclusion as deliberate and accused the federal government of taking politics too far by leaving the governor out of an event held within Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade said the development was unfortunate, particularly as the ceremony was attended by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; APC gubernatorial candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli; and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
Oyelade said the ceremony fell short of its expected significance because of what he described as a “desperate political undertone” arising from a lack of sagacity and confidence.
According to him, the explanation that Makinde was not invited because he was on annual leave was even more unacceptable, stressing that there was a functional acting governor of Oyo State, Barrister Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal, who could have represented the state government at the event.
The commissioner said Makinde remained unperturbed by the development but regretted that the flag-off of a major federal road project was allegedly reduced to a political gathering.
He said the state government remained focused on delivering good governance and representing the interests of the people of Oyo State.
“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 quoted the governor as saying.
The Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road dualisation project is a major federal infrastructure initiative expected to improve connectivity between Oyo and Ogun states and enhance transportation along the corridor.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
