The controversy over the financial circumstances of political appointees in Oyo State has taken a new turn following allegations by Ibadan Mogaji and politician, Abass Oloko, that many appointees of Governor Seyi Makinde are wallowing in poverty despite their positions in government.
Oloko had alleged that some appointees were experiencing financial difficulties, claiming that a serving two-term commissioner in the administration sold an official vehicle to pay the university fees of a child studying in Ghana.
Reacting to the allegations, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA), Hon. Busoye Ogunlade, defended the Makinde administration, insisting that political appointees were appointed to contribute to the development of the state rather than enrich themselves through public resources.
Ogunlade accused some old-generation politicians of wanting government funds to be channelled towards personal interests instead of projects and programmes that would directly benefit the people of Oyo State.
He said the Makinde administration had prioritised public welfare and infrastructure development, arguing that its approach to governance differed from what he described as the practice of placing personal interests above the needs of the masses.
According to Ogunlade, the administration has executed several road projects and other infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving the lives of residents across the state.
Among the projects he cited were the 65-kilometre Moniya-Iseyin Road, Iseyin-Ogbomoso Road, Iseyin-Oyo Road, Ibadan Circular Road and the rehabilitation of inner roads across Oyo State’s five zones.
He also listed the upgrade of Ibadan Airport to international standard among the initiatives reflecting the administration’s development priorities.
Addressing concerns about the financial circumstances of government appointees, Ogunlade maintained that workers and political appointees receive their salaries as and when due, challenging the impression that members of the administration were generally experiencing financial hardship.
“Workers and appointees are being paid on the same day. We are getting our salaries as and when due,” he said.
The OYSROMA chairman further alleged that some politicians wanted a return to an era in which public resources were used to satisfy personal interests, but maintained that Makinde had resisted such pressure in favour of the people who elected him.
“Some old and greedy politicians wanted the era of buje budanu to return, but our leader stood his ground by prioritising the welfare of the masses who gave him the mandate,” Ogunlade stated.
He added that the governor had used available resources to reposition the state, arguing that his administration had demonstrated a commitment to development rather than the personal enrichment of political officeholders.
In a further criticism of Oloko and others questioning the administration, Ogunlade alleged that some of the governor’s critics had expected to enrich themselves through public resources but were disappointed by Makinde’s approach to financial management.
“Oloko and others who are discrediting the Governor thought they could enrich themselves with the resources, but they didn’t know that our leader is a prudent manager of resources,” he said.
The exchange between Ogunlade and Oloko has further intensified the debate over public spending, the welfare of political appointees and the priorities of the Makinde administration, with Ogunlade defending the governor’s record and Oloko previously insisting that he stood by his allegations.
