There is absolutely no justification for the extravagant ₦63.4 billion budgeted for renovation of Oyo State Government House. No reasonable or conscientious citizen should support such reckless spending, especially when the same amount could transform the education or health sectors, which are both in dire need of investment. That amount could build functional primary health centres across all 33 local government areas, or massively upgrade State government hospitals and schools.
This same government house has been abandoned since Governor Seyi Makinde assumed office. The last known occupant was Alao-Akala. If it has remained unused for so long, why the sudden urgency to renovate it especially with such an outrageous sum? It seriously raises red flags about the intent behind the project.
Since this news broke, I have attempted to find any record of consistent funding or maintenance allocations to the government house since Seyi Makinde came onboard. None surfaced. The reason was to engage objectively, relying on facts. While there are reports that the Ajimobi administration allocated funds for similar purposes, the public deserves to know how that money was spent. Transparency should not be optional in governance, it is essential. And, if Seyi Makinde had been consistent in maintaining it since he came onboard, there would not have been need for “total overhaul”.
More disturbing is the irony of the Governor lamenting the “steep increase” in Oyo’s foreign debt repayment obligations. If that is indeed true, how can he justify spending ₦63.4 billion on what is clearly a luxury? In times of economic constraint, a responsive government should lead by example, cutting down on waste and shelving non-essential projects. This renovation cannot pass the test of necessity, urgency, or economic prudence. It reeks of misplaced priorities.
The Governor is essentially saying to the people: “I’ll live in luxury, while you endure poverty.” With Oyo State ranked among those with the highest numbers of out-of-school children and poor health indices, this project is not only tone-deaf, it is immoral. It shows a disconnect from the real and immediate needs of the people.
If the Governor had taken these funds and deployed them into building modern classrooms, equipping science labs, revamping primary healthcare centres, or fixing the State’s water infrastructure, he would have been praised. Instead, he has chosen opulence over the people. This is not just poor judgment, it is a fundamental failure in leadership.
Recently, I raised the alarm on the growing rate of open defecation in the State. Though the government quickly formed a 20-member committee led by the Secretary to the State Government, no concrete action has followed. Setting up committees is not the same as governance. The government must commit to building public toilets and fixing water supply systems. These are basic services that would cost far less than ₦63 billion.
To be clear, no one denies that the government house may need renovation after years of neglect. But the questions remains: why now? Why this much? Why wasn’t it done in his first term when state? Why spend this much during a period of economic uncertainty and rising debt repayments?
This is not just a budgetary issue; it is a governance crisis. A government that continues to sell State-owned assets like the Ogunpa Dam Forest Reserve which houses Agodi Zoological Gardens, and Trans Amusement Park, amongst others, should not be spending billions on luxury projects. That signals a troubling trend; selling public assets to fund elite comfort, not public development.
Let us also not forget the role of the legislature in this matter. They are meant to serve as a check on the executive, ensuring that public funds are used judiciously. Unfortunately, the silence from the Oyo State House of Assembly is deafening. Their failure to question or scrutinize this project amounts to complicity. They have a constitutional duty to conduct proper oversight and protect the interests of the people. That duty appears to have been abandoned.
Governor Makinde must be reminded that good governance thrives on accountability and transparency. The people have the right to know the full scope of this renovation: the contractors involved, the bidding process, timelines, breakdown of expenses, and more. Without such disclosures, this project will continue to be viewed as a conduit pipe for waste and corruption.
In conclusion, this is more than just about ₦63.4 billion. It is about values, vision, and leadership. A governor who claims to feel the economic pains of the people cannot, in good faith, approve such spending while critical sectors are underfunded. This is not just wasteful, it is shameful. Governor Makinde must retrace his steps. Oyo State deserves better. The people deserve leaders who serve, not rulers who indulge.
Kazeem Olalekan Israel (GANI) writes from Ibadan, Nigeria.
