APC chieftain faults Makinde’s claim of economic progress amidst rising debt

A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao has dismissed as “grossly exaggerated” the claims of economic progress and increased investment by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.

Alao in a statement issued by his Media Office while citing ongoing gaps in education, health and basic infrastructure as evidence of underperformance across key sectors, stated that the recent assertions by the state Commissioner for Trade, Investment, Industry, and Cooperatives, Mr. Adeniyi Adebisi —who attributed a surge in investments and economic expansion to Makinde’s “business-friendly policies”—do not reflect the realities on the ground in Oyo State.

The APC chieftain said that these claims lack substantiation from verifiable data, especially in the light of the continued absence of notable foreign direct investment since the governor took office in 2019.

He pointed out that Oyo State remains one of the most indebted in the South-West, with recent budget performance reports showing that the government spent N20 billion on debt servicing in just nine months of 2024—far surpassing expenditure on critical sectors such as health, where no funds were allocated for new hospitals or health centers during the same period.

“The first quarter of 2025 saw N37.8 billion earmarked for public debt charges, underscoring the state’s deepening fiscal challenges,” he said.

He emphasized that these figures undermine government assertions of robust investment and business growth and that the administration’s performance in other sectors is equally unimpressive.

Alao said, “Today, Oyo State’s education sector continues to struggle under systemic inefficiencies and poor planning, despite the current administration’s repeated claims of prioritizing the sector.

“While Governor Seyi Makinde has increased financial allocations—with the education sector receiving the second-largest budget in both 2024 and 2025, amounting to nearly N150 billion—a closer examination reveals structural flaws that undermine real progress, especially for children in rural and marginalized communities.

“Many children still trek long distances to attend classes in neighboring towns, as local government schools suffer from dilapidated infrastructure and a chronic shortage of teachers—problems that have not been decisively addressed, despite official rhetoric from the government.”

On the healthcare front, Alao stated that despite official claims of progress, a large proportion of Oyo’s population still lacks regular access to qualitative and affordable healthcare.

“Many rural communities have no functional health centres, and even in towns with facilities, lack of manpower, equipment, and drugs remains a persistent problem. The government’s pledge to build a primary health centre in each of the state’s 351 wards has not translated into universal access, and where PHCs exist, many are understaffed and under-resourced,” Alao added.

He further stated that, beyond education and health, residents of Oyo State continue to grapple with inadequate access to clean water and sanitation—issues that receive little attention in government pronouncements.

Alao also criticized the administration’s spending priorities, citing expensive projects such as the purchase of an aircraft for security surveillance instead of more cost-effective solutions like drones.

“When government touts occasional health missions and school renovations as signs of progress, but fails to address chronic manpower shortages, teacher unemployment, and the exodus of professionals, it is clear that the priorities are misplaced.

“People of Oyo State deserve more than flashy initiatives.They need sustainable solutions to healthcare, education, and infrastructure—backed by real investment, not just rhetoric”.