Makinde’s Local Govt Position Sparks Controversy, Analyst Questions Governor’s Consistency

By Nifemi Peters

The position of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on local government administration has sparked controversy, with public affairs analyst, Segun Ogungbayi, questioning the consistency of the governor’s recent remarks on a road project in Ibadan North Local Government Area.

Ogungbayi raised the issue during a discussion on Agidigbo 88.7 FM, following a recorded statement by Governor Makinde in which he attributed the construction of a road in the area to the local government.

In the recording, Makinde said Ibadan North Local Government was responsible for the road project and had spent money on its construction.

Reacting to the statement, Ogungbayi recalled the governor’s previous position that he did not believe in the three-tier system of government, saying Makinde had publicly expressed preference for a two-tier structure.

The analyst questioned what had changed to make the governor now rely on the local government as the authority responsible for the road project.

Ogungbayi said the position appeared inconsistent, particularly because the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognises the three tiers of government.

“When he said two-tier government, it is practised all over the world. But don’t forget that over 25 countries practise three tiers of government, and even four tiers of government,” he said.

According to him, the constitutional recognition of local government administration makes it difficult to reconcile the governor’s earlier position with his latest attribution of the road project to Ibadan North Local Government.

“The Constitution establishes three-tier, yet you believe in two-tier. You are working contrary to the Constitution, I am sorry to say this,” Ogungbayi said.

The analyst, however, stressed that his criticism was not directed at the development itself, noting that he supports government projects regardless of which level of government executes them.

“I love good works. I love good projects, I love development,” he said.

Ogungbayi said his concern was the need for transparency and accuracy in identifying the government responsible for funding and executing public projects.

He argued that where a government claims responsibility for a project, there should be sufficient facts to establish who conceived, funded and implemented it.

The analyst also cautioned against allowing political considerations to influence the presentation of development projects, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said political interests should not be allowed to undermine public confidence in government institutions, stressing that citizens deserved clarity on how public projects were funded and executed.

Ogungbayi’s comments have therefore added a fresh dimension to the debate over local government administration in Oyo State, with the central issue being whether Governor Makinde’s current position is consistent with his previously expressed views on the structure of government.