A civic group in Ibadan, Save Oyo Movement (SOM), has accused the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of mismanaging public funds and pursuing politically motivated projects, including what it described as a controversial and failed coronation of traditional chiefs in the state capital.
In a statement issued after its weekend meeting in Ibadan and signed by its Coordinator, Akeem Oladiti, the group alleged that over N1.5 billion was expended on the recent coronation exercise, which it claimed ultimately failed due to the absence of the intended beneficiaries.
Governor Makinde had approved the elevation of three high-ranking Ibadan chiefs to the status of Obas. However, the individuals – Ekeerin Balogun of Ibadanland, Akeem Adewoyin; Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Kola Babalola; and Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland, Sharafadeen Alli – reportedly declined participation in the ceremony.
SOM criticised the move, questioning the legality and cultural precedent of coronating traditional rulers in absentia.
The group described the exercise as unprecedented in Yorubaland, alleging that public funds were effectively spent on “empty chairs.”
Beyond the coronation controversy, the group further accused the governor of squandering more than N10 billion in recent months on what it termed “political misadventures.”
Among these was the alleged expenditure of over N5 billion on a botched national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The statement also alleged that the coronation exercise was politically motivated, claiming it was aimed at weakening the political prospects of Senator Alli, who is widely speculated to be a leading contender for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
According to SOM, the governor may have believed that elevating Alli to a traditional title would disqualify him from contesting political office.
However, the group maintained that holding a traditional title does not constitutionally bar any individual from seeking elective positions in Nigeria.
“It is either the governor was misinformed or chose to mislead himself into thinking that such a coronation would halt Senator Alli’s governorship ambition,” the statement read.
The group further revealed that one of the affected chiefs had been due for coronation since 2024 and had made repeated requests to the state government without success. It alleged that the governor only acted when political considerations emerged.
SOM concluded by reiterating that whether or not Senator Alli accepts a traditional title, it would have no legal bearing on his eligibility to contest for public office.
