Dare Adeleke has fired back at Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mutalubi Ojo, over his criticisms of the administration of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, popularly known as GSM, challenging the legal practitioner to assess the governor’s performance based on facts, figures and constitutional provisions rather than political sentiments.
In a strongly worded response, Adeleke described Ojo as a respected legal practitioner whose professional standing should compel him to examine governance issues beyond political rhetoric.
“My Learned Brother Silk, Mutalubi Ojo, SAN. Happy Sunday, the pride of Ibadan South East,” Adeleke began.
He, however, questioned Ojo’s interpretation of the legal and administrative framework governing local government finances, particularly the State Joint Local Government Account established under Section 162(6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
According to Adeleke, Makinde’s approach to funding infrastructure projects, including road construction across Ibadan, should be considered within the context of the constitutional arrangements and financial practices that existed before the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment on local government financial autonomy.
Adeleke also drew a comparison with the administration of the late former governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, arguing that previous administrations had similarly relied on local government resources in managing state-level responsibilities.
Adeoyo Hospital Road and the State of Infrastructure
Responding to Ojo’s question about whether Makinde had remembered State Hospital Road, Adeoyo, Adeleke stated that the road had been awarded for construction and that the government expected the contractors to commence work.
He argued that several roads across the state had deteriorated during the previous administration, insisting that Makinde inherited significant infrastructure challenges alongside unpaid salaries, pension obligations and financial difficulties affecting local governments.
Adeleke maintained that the current administration had made considerable efforts to improve road infrastructure and restore the state’s financial stability.
Why Local Government Funds Matter
Addressing the debate over the use of local government funds for infrastructure development, Adeleke questioned whether local councils could independently finance major road projects after meeting their recurring obligations.
He listed the payment of primary school teachers, local government workers, pensions, traditional councils, healthcare workers and security support among the competing demands on local government finances.
“The answer is NO. Capital NO,” he declared, arguing that the cost of constructing one kilometre of standard road could exceed ₦1 billion, while the allocations available to many local governments after salary deductions might be substantially lower.
Adeleke contended that, in his view, leaving local government resources entirely within the control of the caretaker chairmen who operated under the previous arrangements would not have delivered the same level of infrastructure development.
He maintained that Makinde had deployed public resources towards projects intended to improve the lives of residents, particularly at the grassroots.
Road Construction: Adeleke Defends Makinde’s Record
On road infrastructure, Adeleke argued that roads constructed under Makinde had demonstrated greater durability than those delivered by the previous administration.
He alleged that some roads built under Ajimobi deteriorated shortly after construction, describing them as projects designed primarily for commissioning ceremonies and publicity.
Adeleke insisted that roads executed under Makinde had remained serviceable over the years, although the comparative claims were not accompanied by independent engineering assessments in his statement.
Education: Free Schooling and Teacher Recruitment
Adeleke also defended Makinde’s education policies, contrasting them with the previous administration’s public-school management arrangements.
He criticised the governing-board model introduced under Ajimobi, alleging that it led to the privatisation of aspects of public-school management and required parents to pay ₦3,000 per child.
According to Adeleke, Makinde reversed that policy, restored free education, recruited more than 5,000 teachers and built over 200 model schools.
He presented these measures as evidence of the current administration’s commitment to expanding access to education and improving public-school infrastructure.
World Bank Grants and Rural Development
On grants and development financing, Adeleke argued that Oyo State regained access to World Bank-supported programmes under Makinde because the administration paid counterpart funding obligations that, according to him, had not been met under Ajimobi.
He cited the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) and the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP) as examples of development interventions that benefited from renewed funding and implementation efforts.
Adeleke maintained that these programmes demonstrated the importance of meeting financial obligations to development partners to attract external support for infrastructure and environmental management.
Circular Road: Adeleke Questions Previous BOT Arrangement
Adeleke also challenged the previous administration’s Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement for the Ibadan Circular Road, which he attributed to Hastrup.
He alleged that the arrangement failed to achieve financial closure for three years and argued that terminating it was necessary to protect the state from potential legal and financial complications.
According to him, the Makinde administration had subsequently moved forward with the Circular Road project, with approximately 70 kilometres reportedly cleared.
He contrasted the reported progress with what he described as the previous administration’s reliance on projected investment outcomes during its trips to China.
Healthcare: PHCs, Medical Equipment and Personnel
Responding to Ojo’s reported criticism of healthcare facilities, Adeleke rejected the negative characterisation of the state’s hospitals and highlighted interventions undertaken by the Makinde administration.
He cited improvements at Adeoyo State Hospital, the upgrading of 264 primary healthcare centres across the state, the acquisition of oxygen plants and the employment of more than 1,000 health workers.
Adeleke further criticised the previous administration over its handling of the health sector, alleging that doctors experienced prolonged industrial action during that period.
He argued that the current administration’s investments in healthcare infrastructure and personnel should form part of any fair assessment of its performance.
Airport, Lekan Salami Stadium and Light-Up Oyo
Adeleke also listed developments at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, the Lekan Salami Stadium and the Light-Up Oyo initiative among the achievements he attributed to Makinde.
He claimed that the airport had undergone significant upgrades, while the Lekan Salami Stadium had been reconstructed to accommodate major sporting events, including matches involving the Super Eagles.
He further argued that the Light-Up Oyo programme had improved nighttime activity and urban visibility in Ibadan.
Adeleke contrasted these projects with what he described as inadequate infrastructure development under the previous administration, insisting that the current government had delivered visible improvements in critical sectors.
A Call for Facts Over Political Sentiments
Addressing Ojo directly, Adeleke urged the senior lawyer to bring his professional expertise to bear on public debates about governance.
“Learned Silk, please don’t reduce your wig and gown to political support. As a SAN, you should argue with facts, figures and Supreme Court authorities,” he said.
He maintained that Makinde’s performance should ultimately be judged by residents who use the roads, access public schools and hospitals, and depend on the timely payment of salaries and pensions.
Adeleke also recalled the legal and electoral challenges faced by Makinde’s administration, arguing that the governor had prevailed against opposition efforts at the polls and in court.
He described the latest criticism as another attempt to challenge an administration whose achievements, in his view, were already visible to the public.
Concluding his response, Adeleke described Makinde as a respected and spiritually grounded leader, expressing confidence that the governor would be surprised by Ojo’s criticisms.
“Oyo State has moved on,” Adeleke declared.
DARE ADELEKE
Editor’s note: The financial, legal and project-related claims in this article reflect Adeleke’s position as presented in his statement. They should be independently verified, particularly the interpretation of Section 162(6), the effect of the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment, the status of the Circular Road project, and the figures cited for public infrastructure and employment.
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