The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to transparency, due process, and the protection of public interest amid controversy surrounding the Cheshire Home land in Eleyele, Ibadan.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, stated this position in a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, while reacting to comments by the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) on the disputed land.
Olanrewaju described SSACO’s position as misleading and based on speculation, insisting that the government had neither taken any secret decision nor acted outside the law regarding the property.
He accused the campaign organisation of attempting to create unnecessary anxiety among residents of the state through what he described as unverified allegations and politically motivated narratives.
According to him, the Makinde administration has consistently demonstrated its commitment to responsible management of public assets through investments in schools, hospitals, roads, security infrastructure, and other public facilities since assuming office in 2019.
The governor’s aide maintained that all decisions concerning government land and property under the present administration were guided by due process, public interest, and the developmental needs of the state.
He added that public assets belonged to the people of Oyo State and were not treated as the personal possessions of the governor, contrary to the insinuations he attributed to SSACO.
Olanrewaju also accused the campaign organisation of engaging in political opportunism, arguing that those raising concerns over public assets should base their criticism on verifiable facts rather than speculation.
While acknowledging the importance of constructive criticism in a democratic society, he urged political actors to engage issues of governance responsibly and avoid what he described as political theatrics.
While constructive criticism remains welcome in a democratic society, it must be anchored in truth, facts, and evidence. The people of Oyo State deserve informed public discourse, not speculation disguised as public advocacy.
We therefore urge SSACO and its sponsors to engage issues of governance with the responsibility, sincerity, and factual accuracy they deserve. Public debate is best served when it is driven by facts rather than political theatrics,” the statement read in part.
He said the Makinde administration remained focused on sustainable development, economic expansion, and improved service delivery, adding that the governor would not be distracted by what he termed baseless accusations.
The statement followed SSACO’s concerns over the Cheshire Home land in Eleyele, which Olanrewaju said formed part of what he described as a pattern of alarmist and misleading claims by the campaign organisation.
He urged SSACO and its sponsors to drive public discourse on governance with facts, evidence, and the public interest.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
