‘Waste Of Time’ Vs ‘Transparency’: Oyo APC, Makinde Trade Barbs Over Media Chat

By Victoria Isaac 

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Seyi Makinde’s media team have traded sharp words over the governor’s recent media engagement, with the opposition accusing him of neglecting pressing public concerns and his aide accusing the party of being uncomfortable with transparency and accountability.

‎The dispute followed Makinde’s two-hour appearance on a privately owned radio station in Ibadan on Sunday, which the APC described as a waste of the audience’s time, arguing that the governor failed to adequately address issues affecting residents.

‎In a statement issued on Monday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the opposition party said the engagement provided an opportunity for Makinde to explain his administration’s performance but was instead dominated by issues it considered less important to the people.

‎The APC also linked the reported resignation of the governor’s Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, to what it described as signs of trouble within the state government.

‎Sadare described the reported early Monday resignation as an “ominous sign” that all was not well with the administration, urging Makinde to retrace his steps and seek assistance from appropriate quarters within and outside Oyo State.

‎APC Questions BCOS, Security and Public Spending

‎The opposition party questioned Makinde’s decision to use a privately owned radio station for the engagement, alleging that the state-owned Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) had become “moribund” under his administration.

‎“Many people have queried the choice of a privately owned radio station for Gov. Makinde’s media engagement,” the APC said.

‎It alleged that properties belonging to the corporation had been sold at what it described as ridiculous prices, while some studios had been abandoned and workers subjected to poor treatment.

*Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Oyo State APC Governorship Candidate.

‎The party also criticised the governor over the kidnapping of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from Oyo State in Imo State, arguing that residents expected him to explain his role in securing their release and what his administration intended to do for the affected young people and their parents.

‎It further demanded explanations regarding the reported abduction of three staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), including the government’s efforts to secure their release and address what it described as rising insecurity.

‎On the economy, the APC accused Makinde of devoting much of the media engagement to his reported presidential ambition and alleged disagreement with President Bola Tinubu rather than explaining how his administration was utilising the substantial allocations and interventions accruing to the state from the Federal Government.

‎According to the party, the governor reportedly linked his decision to enter the presidential race partly to disappointment involving Tinubu.

‎The APC also renewed its opposition to the reported plan to spend ₦21 billion on the redevelopment of the Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan, describing the facility as “moribund and looted”.

‎Recalling Makinde’s earlier position that his administration would not award new contracts after December 31, 2025, the party urged him to abandon the proposed expenditure.

‎“It is right to say that good governance went on holiday on May 29, 2019,” the APC said, arguing that the situation had worsened because of what it described as the governor’s misplaced political ambition.

Makinde’s Aide Fires Back, Says APC Is Uncomfortable With Transparency

‎However, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, rejected the APC’s criticism, describing the party’s reaction to the media engagement as reckless and arguing that it demonstrated discomfort with the governor’s openness.

‎In a statement dated October 13, Olanrewaju said direct engagement between an elected leader and citizens was fundamental to democratic governance, transparency and accountability.

‎He argued that the APC’s description of the session as a “waste of time” showed that the opposition party had lost sight of democratic values.

‎“A political party that lashes out because a governor chooses transparency over silence has not only lost its moral compass; it is openly advertising that loss,” the aide said.

‎Olanrewaju maintained that Makinde did not sidestep major issues during the engagement, insisting that the governor addressed security operations, infrastructure development, financial management and local government administration.

‎He also cited what he described as Oyo State’s recent recognition as Nigeria’s leading state in democratic governance, arguing that the rating reflected an administration that listens to citizens, responds to their concerns and remains accessible.

‎On security, the governor’s aide challenged the APC’s criticism, saying security was a shared responsibility between federal and state authorities.

‎He listed the strengthening of the Amotekun Corps, expanded patrol capacity, upgraded communication systems, the acquisition of surveillance aircraft and increased collaboration with federal security agencies among measures taken by the administration.

‎Olanrewaju further claimed that these interventions had contributed to a significant reduction in major crime indicators compared with levels before Makinde assumed office in 2019.

*Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State.

‎He described the opposition’s rejection of these claimed gains as “deliberate blindness”, arguing that criticism should not disregard the administration’s security efforts.

‎Revenue, Roads and Liveability Claims

‎The governor’s aide also dismissed the APC’s criticism of the state’s economic direction, citing growth in internally generated revenue (IGR), rising private investments in agribusiness and other sectors, and major infrastructure projects.

‎Among the projects he highlighted were the Moniya–Iseyin Road, the Ogbomoso–Iseyin Road and the Circular Road, which he said were opening new economic corridors for the state.

‎‎He also pointed to the upgrade of Ibadan Airport to international standards as part of the administration’s efforts to expand Oyo State’s economic reach.

‎Olanrewaju linked these developments to what he described as the state’s recognition as Nigeria’s leading state for liveability, citing economic stability, infrastructure quality and overall quality of life as relevant factors.

‎He equally rejected the suggestion that Makinde was disconnected from the grassroots, pointing to regular town hall meetings, media engagements, empowerment programmes and the restoration of local government elections.

‎According to him, these initiatives reflected an administration committed to inclusion and democratic reforms, which he said had contributed to the state’s recognition for democratic governance.

‎The aide also dismissed the allegation that the media chat was politically motivated, describing it instead as part of Makinde’s routine accountability mechanism designed to keep residents informed about government activities.

‘The people can see the difference’

‎Olanrewaju maintained that the administration’s reported national recognitions in liveability and democratic governance were not mere slogans but independent validations of its performance.

‎He said Makinde’s record should be assessed across security, infrastructure, education, economic expansion, transparency and democratic reforms, adding that the administration had delivered what he described as measurable progress.

‎Taking a further swipe at the opposition, the aide argued that the APC’s failure to acknowledge the administration’s claimed achievements did not mean the progress was invisible.

‎“If the APC cannot recognise these achievements, it is not because the progress is invisible — it is because the party has chosen to shut its eyes,” he said.

‎He added that Oyo State would continue to move forward regardless of the opposition’s approval, insisting that leadership should be measured by its impact rather than political noise.

‎The exchange highlights the continuing disagreement between the Makinde administration and the APC over the state government’s performance, security challenges, public spending and the governor’s reported presidential ambition as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify.