…Says documented projects across 33 LGAs contradict claim that local governments are paralysed
The Oyo State Government has rejected allegations by SSACO that Governor Seyi Makinde has “paralysed” local governments in the state, describing the claim as misleading and inconsistent with documented evidence of ongoing and completed projects across the 33 Local Government Areas.
The government, in a to the statement attributed to SSACO, said the allegation appeared to place greater emphasis on a political narrative than on an assessment of verifiable developments across the state.
It challenged SSACO to examine the projects executed by Local Government Councils and Local Council Development Areas before making sweeping claims about the state of local government administration in Oyo State.
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Local Governments Have Not Been “Paralysed”
According to the Oyo State Government, its documented project records show that Local Government Councils and Local Council Development Areas have undertaken and completed projects across different parts of the state.
The projects cover road construction and rehabilitation, bridges and culverts, drainage, markets, electricity infrastructure, water supply, public buildings, schools, security infrastructure and other community facilities.
Among the projects cited by the government are:
14.1km Eruwa–Lanlate–Maya Road in Ibarapa East;
15.75km Igbole Express Road to the Ibarapa Central boundary;
10km Omi-Adio Junction–Ido Junction Road in Ido Local Government;
approximately 6km Akobo Ojurin–Olorunda Abaa Road in Lagelu;
6.45km Olodo Garage–Kasumu/Ajia Junction Road in Egbeda;
3.5km Olorunsogo Express/Ariyo–Amuloko Road in Ona-Ara;
6km Idiko-Ile–Ayegun Road in Iwajowa;
3.1km Olive Estate Internal Roads in Ibadan North;
2.65km Abayomi Olagoke Akano–Raji Rasaki Road in Ibadan North East;
2.5km Alakia–Isebo/Iyana Church Road in Egbeda;
1.8km Dandaru–Agbadagbudu Road in Ibadan North;
1km Ikolaba/Omowale Kuye Estate Road in Ibadan North;
3.5km Ikolaba Main Road Network in Ibadan North;
2km Bodija Main Market Road in Ibadan North;
Omi-Tuntun Ultra-Modern Market in Ido;
Kajola Ultra-Modern Market in Ogbomoso South;
reconstruction of Akesan Market in Oyo East;
Iseyin/LAUTECH campus roads and associated infrastructure;
33KV electricity infrastructure and transformer projects in Iseyin and Itesiwaju;
solar public lighting projects in parts of Ibadan North and other local government areas; and
schools, culverts, drainage structures, markets and public buildings across several local government areas.
The government also said its records contain projects completed in 2026, including the Ikolaba/Omowale Kuye Estate Road, Bodija Main Market Road, Ikolaba Main Road Network and Oba Adeyemi-Mobolaje Road, among others.
“These are not the activities of ‘paralysed’ local governments,” the government argued, maintaining that the projects have identifiable locations and beneficiaries.
‘Facts Should Take Precedence Over Political Rhetoric’
The government said political criticism remains a legitimate part of democratic discourse but argued that such criticism should be supported by verifiable facts.
It challenged SSACO to clarify its allegation by identifying:
The specific Local Government Areas it considers “paralysed”;
The functions it alleges have ceased;
Projects it claims have been abandoned as a result of the alleged paralysis;
Evidence supporting the allegation; and
How the claim can be reconciled with projects being executed and completed across the state.
The government maintained that generalised political statements should not be presented as substitutes for evidence.
Local Government Development Across Oyo State
The statement noted that documented projects cover both urban and rural communities across Oyo State, including Ibadan, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Iseyin, Saki, Ido, Egbeda, Lagelu, Ona-Ara, Atisbo and Iwajowa.
According to the government, interventions have addressed road infrastructure, drainage, bridges and culverts, markets, electricity, public buildings and schools, among other community needs.
It, however, acknowledged that the projects do not mean every challenge confronting every local government has been resolved.
“The point is not that every problem in every local government has been solved,” the government said, arguing instead that the description of local governments as “paralysed” does not align with the evidence of projects undertaken and completed across the state.
‘Politics Should Not Replace Facts’
The Oyo State Government said SSACO was free to disagree with Governor Seyi Makinde and criticise the policies of his administration, describing such criticism as part of democratic engagement.
It nevertheless urged critics to identify specific shortcomings and provide evidence when alleging failure or paralysis.
The government said residents could assess the impact of infrastructure projects in their communities, including roads, bridges, markets, drainage facilities, electricity infrastructure and public buildings.
Concluding its response, the government said the record of local government development should be assessed on the basis of verifiable evidence rather than broad political assertions.
“Your facts are wrong. Your narrative is defective. The record of local government development across Oyo State speaks for itself,” the government said.
