SPN Slams Oyo Governor Makinde Over ₦63.4 Billion Government House Renovation, Calls It Wasteful and Irresponsible

The Oyo State chapter of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) has openly criticized Governor Seyi Makinde for approving a whopping ₦63.4 billion for the renovation of the state’s Government House.

The party condemned the project as excessive, unnecessary, and a clear example of misplaced priorities amidst the growing economic hardship faced by residents of the state.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, the SPN rejected the governor’s justification that the project cost was influenced by exchange rate volatility and debt servicing pressures, describing those reasons as weak and unconvincing.

“Governor Makinde’s justification is not only flawed but also highlights his administration’s insensitivity to the plight of the average citizen,” the statement read.

The SPN also accused Governor Makinde of dishonestly shifting the blame for Oyo State’s mounting debt crisis solely to past administrations. The party argued that while previous governments did contribute to the debt burden, the current administration has made the situation worse through poor financial decisions and unsustainable borrowing.

Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the party revealed that Oyo State’s debt in 2019 stood at approximately ₦129 billion, comprising ₦94 billion in domestic debt and ₦32 billion in external loans. However, within just 15 months of Governor Makinde’s administration, the debt reportedly surged by ₦140 billion reaching an estimated total of ₦266 billion.

“This level of borrowing within such a short period is alarming, and it is disingenuous to place the entire blame on previous regimes while ignoring the current administration’s role in escalating the crisis,” the party said.

According to the SPN, the renovation project reflects a broader pattern of wasteful spending by the Makinde administration including recent proposals to acquire surveillance aircraft for security purposes.

“We acknowledge the importance of public security,” the SPN stated, “but spending public funds on aircraft while hospitals lack basic facilities, schools remain in poor condition, and rural communities suffer from neglect is completely irresponsible.”

The party further criticized the opulent lifestyles of top government officials, arguing that the state should instead be pursuing cost-cutting measures and directing resources toward sectors that benefit the people directly.