The attention of the Oyo State Government has been drawn to the statement credited to SSACO alleging that Governor Seyi Makinde has “paralysed” local governments in Oyo State.
That claim is not only misleading; it is contradicted by the facts on the ground.
The writer appears more interested in constructing a political narrative than in establishing the facts. Before making sweeping allegations about the administration of the 33 Local Government Areas, SSACO should have taken the elementary step of examining the projects being executed across the local governments.
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN “PARALYSED”
The evidence available from the Oyo State Government’s documented project records shows that Local Government Councils and Local Council Development Areas have, over the period under review, undertaken and completed projects across virtually every part of the State.
These projects cut across road construction and rehabilitation, bridges and culverts, drainage, markets, electricity infrastructure, water supply, public buildings, schools, security infrastructure and other community facilities.
Among the documented projects 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;
* schools, culverts, drainage structures, markets and public buildings across several local governments.
The State’s project records also show projects completed in 2026, including the Ikolaba/Omowale Kuye Estate Road, Bodija Main Market Road, Ikolaba Main Road Network and the Oba Adeyemi-Mobolaje Road, among others.
These are not the activities of “paralysed” local governments.
They are tangible projects with identifiable locations and beneficiaries.
THE FACTS SPEAK LOUDER THAN POLITICAL RHETORIC
It is therefore important for SSACO and its writers to understand that criticism of government is legitimate, but criticism does not confer the licence to disregard verifiable facts.
If SSACO claims that local governments have been “paralysed,” it should identify:
1. Which Local Government Areas are allegedly paralysed;
2. Which specific functions have allegedly ceased;
3. Which projects have allegedly been abandoned because of the claimed paralysis;
4. What evidence supports the allegation; and
5. How that allegation can be reconciled with the numerous projects being executed and completed across the 33 Local Government Areas.
Generalised political statements cannot substitute for evidence.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT IS VISIBLE ACROSS OYO STATE
The documented projects span both urban and rural communities.
From Ibadan to Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Iseyin, Saki, Ido, Egbeda, Lagelu, Ona-Ara, Atisbo, Iwajowa and other parts of the State, local government interventions have addressed practical community needs.
Roads have been rehabilitated and constructed. Culverts and bridges have been provided. Markets have been developed and renovated. Electricity infrastructure has been extended. Public buildings and schools have been improved. Drainage infrastructure has been provided in areas affected by flooding.
The point is not that every problem in every local government has been solved. No responsible government would make such a claim.
The point is that the assertion that local governments have been “paralysed” is inconsistent with the documented evidence of projects being undertaken and completed across the State.
POLITICS SHOULD NOT REPLACE FACTS
SSACO may disagree with Governor Seyi Makinde and may criticise policies of the Oyo State Government. That is part of democratic discourse.
But political criticism must be anchored in facts.
Where there are shortcomings, SSACO should identify them specifically. Where it alleges failure, it should provide evidence. Where it alleges paralysis, it should demonstrate the paralysis.
What cannot be accepted is the substitution of sweeping political rhetoric for facts that are readily verifiable on the ground.
The people of Oyo State can see the roads, bridges, markets, drainage facilities, electricity projects, public buildings and other infrastructure being delivered in their communities.
The record speaks for itself.
SSACO may have the right to criticise Governor Makinde, but it does not have the right to manufacture facts.
The simple message is therefore clear:produce a be
YOUR FACTS ARE WRONG. YOUR NARRATIVE IS DEFECTIVE. THE RECORD OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT ACROSS OYO STATE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.
