The Oyo State Government has criticised the exclusion of Governor Seyi Makinde from the flag-off ceremony of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road project held in the Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.
The state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, made the position known in a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Ibadan.
The ceremony, held at Idi Ayunre, was attended by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, APC governorship candidate Sarafadeen Alli and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
Oyelade said the event fell short of its expected significance because of what he described as a “desperate political undertone” arising from a lack of political sagacity and confidence.
He questioned the decision not to invite Makinde on the grounds that the governor was on leave, noting that an Acting Governor was already overseeing the affairs of the state.
“The excuse that the invitation was not extended to Governor Makinde because he was on leave makes the case even more ridiculous because there is a functional Acting Governor on the ground,” Oyelade said.
The commissioner said Makinde remained unperturbed by the development but regretted that the road project’s flag-off had been reduced to what he described as a political jamboree.
“Governor Makinde is unperturbed and regrets that the event was reduced to a political jamboree,” he said.
Oyelade added that the political direction ahead of the 2027 elections had been established, insisting that no political manoeuvring or what he termed “indecorum or desperation” would prevent the people from exercising their will.
“The course of 2027 is set, and no level of indecorum or desperation from whatever quarters will hold back the will of the people,” he said.