The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his recent national television interview, accusing his administration of failing to translate increased federal allocations into industrialisation, job creation and economic growth.
SSACO said Makinde’s argument that federal allocations alone could not guarantee economic prosperity was not enough, insisting that the governor had failed to demonstrate how the increased revenue accruing to Oyo State had been deployed to build a productive economy.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, the organisation said Oyo State received about N145 billion in federal allocations in 2024 and N214 billion in 2025.
The campaign organisation argued that the increased revenue should have been used to create an enabling environment for industries, businesses and other productive activities capable of generating employment and wealth.
Makinde had, during the interview on Arise TV, argued that federal allocations should not be equated with economic prosperity, saying Nigeria needed to rebuild its productive capacity through industrialisation, production and job creation.
He also cited the disappearance of industries such as Leyland Assembly Plant, Exide Battery, Ferodo and Iso Glass from Oyo State as evidence of the decline in the state’s industrial base.
However, SSACO said the governor’s position amounted to an attempt to downplay the increase in federal revenue available to Oyo State since President Bola Tinubu assumed office.
“It is a sign of cluelessness to have huge funds and have no idea how to use it to enable productive economic activities,” the organisation said.
SSACO also questioned the administration’s handling of electricity, alleging that N8.5 billion had been spent on an unsuccessful power project.
The organisation contrasted Oyo with Lagos, Ekiti and Abia states, which it said had taken steps to utilise opportunities created by the Electricity Act 2023 to develop subnational electricity markets.
SSACO accused Makinde of failing to take similar measures to improve electricity supply for industries, businesses and households in Oyo State, while criticising the Federal Government over the country’s power challenges.
The campaign organisation further dismissed Makinde’s ambition to “reset Nigeria”, arguing that the governor should first demonstrate his ability to transform Oyo State’s economy.
“It is laughable that a man who cannot reset the Oyo State economy is grandstanding as a man who can reset Nigeria. Oyo State people definitely deserve a better governor than Makinde,” the statement said.
Makinde has defended his administration’s economic strategy, including its investment in the Ibadan Airport, arguing that improved connectivity would support agriculture, trade and the transportation of produce to international markets.
He also maintained that increased federal allocations should be considered alongside inflation, exchange-rate depreciation and rising government expenditure.
Looking ahead to the 2027 election, SSACO said its principal, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, would pursue a more interventionist economic programme under his Oyo AHEAD agenda.
According to the organisation, the plan includes establishing a state electricity regulator, expanding solar energy deployment, providing low-interest financing for organised private-sector businesses, reviving the state’s free trade zone and establishing a N10 billion youth development fund.
SSACO said Alli’s proposed alignment with the Federal Government would enable Oyo State to benefit more from federal policies and programmes, urging voters to support the APC candidate in the 2027 governorship election.
