Concerned about the management of Oyo State funds, Team Oyo, a coalition of professionals committed to the state’s development, has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to reconsider his administration’s spending priorities and to reflect on the legacy he will leave behind.
The group criticized the governor’s approach to project selection, which they described as wasteful and misaligned with the pressing needs of Oyo State.
In a statement released by Kolapo Isiaka, the pro tem chairman of Team Oyo, the group expressed dismay over recent spending decisions, highlighting projects that, in their view, lacked lasting impact and would need costly repairs within a short period. Team Oyo voiced concern over the governor’s leadership style, suggesting that his purported temperament discourages advisers from offering honest feedback, leading to a circle of ‘yes men’ around him. “When leaders are surrounded by people who only agree with them, the result is often damaging,” Isiaka warned.
The statement pointed to specific areas of concern, including the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, a newly established agency that Team Oyo views as redundant given the existing structures in place. “We already have the Oyo Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), the Oyo State Waste Management Authority (OYWMA), and other security agencies that can collaborate to maintain order,” the group argued. “Yet, we’ve heard that funds are being allocated to this new agency, with plans to buy over 50 vehicles and provide a large monthly subvention. It feels like certain individuals must be rewarded.”
Team Oyo highlighted the financial strain on the state and questioned the decision to divert limited funds to new agencies while essential services, particularly in education and infrastructure, reportedly remain neglected. “Schools across Oyo State are in dire need of attention. Even primary schools near the homes of notable figures like the late Justice Kayode Eso and the governor himself are visibly dilapidated,” Isiaka remarked. “These are places Governor Makinde passes by frequently, yet they remain in poor condition after five years.”
The group also drew attention to poorly executed road projects, specifically pointing to the Felele Junction improvement project, which reportedly cost the government nearly 3 billion naira. Team Oyo noted that despite the expense, the area remains susceptible to flooding after heavy rains, leaving residents frustrated. Additionally, the recently commissioned Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso road is already showing signs of deterioration, according to the group.
Issuing a cautionary reminder, Team Oyo urged Governor Makinde to take stock of his achievements and consider the future implications of his choices. “What will his legacy be if projects completed under his watch start failing within months?” the group asked. “Other leaders have had to answer for their spending before anti-graft agencies. We don’t wish the same fate on Governor Makinde, but he should understand that those who surround him now will not stand by him later.”
The group concluded by encouraging the governor to prioritize enduring and impactful projects that will truly benefit Oyo State and its citizens long after his administration ends.
