Dare Adeleke, in a strongly worded response to Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mutalubi Ojo, has defended Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration over its use of local government funds, infrastructure development and other policy decisions in Oyo State.Adeleke argued that Makinde’s record in roads, education, healthcare, aviation and security infrastructure should be assessed against the challenges inherited from the previous administration, rather than what he described as rhetorical criticism.
Addressing Ojo as his learned brother and a respected legal practitioner, Adeleke maintained that the governor’s approach to local government resources was intended to deliver development at the grassroots and improve the living conditions of residents.
He cited Section 162(6) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides for a State Joint Local Government Account, arguing that the constitutional framework had historically shaped the relationship between state governments and local councils.
Adeleke also referred to the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment on local government autonomy, contending that Makinde’s administration had operated within the established framework governing the management of local government resources.
However, the constitutional and legal implications of using local government allocations for state-level projects remain a matter that must be assessed against the applicable constitutional provisions and judicial decisions.
Adeleke Defends Use of Local Government Funds
The governor’s defender argued that local government allocations must first accommodate recurrent obligations, including primary school teachers’ salaries, council workers’ wages, pensions, traditional councils, healthcare personnel and security support.
He questioned whether councils could independently finance major road projects after meeting these obligations, noting that the cost of constructing a kilometre of standard road could exceed ₦1 billion.
According to Adeleke, the monthly allocations available to many local governments, after deductions and salary-related obligations, were insufficient to fund large-scale infrastructure projects without additional financial support.
He maintained that Makinde’s administration had therefore channelled resources towards projects intended to benefit communities across the state, particularly road rehabilitation and other public infrastructure.
Adeleke also argued that roads abandoned or left in poor condition under previous administrations had become more accessible under the present government, insisting that residents should judge the administration by the quality and durability of completed projects.
Adeoyo Hospital Road Awarded, Says Adeleke
Responding to questions about the condition of State Hospital Road, Adeoyo, in Ibadan, Adeleke said the road had been awarded to a contractor and that work was expected to commence.
He acknowledged the importance of the road while arguing that several routes across Ibadan had suffered years of neglect before Makinde assumed office.
Adeleke contrasted the governor’s infrastructure programme with the administration of the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, whom he described as a political leader whose government had also relied on local government resources in running the state.
He further claimed that Makinde inherited significant financial and administrative challenges, including unpaid salaries, pension obligations and local councils struggling to meet their responsibilities.
The claims form part of Adeleke’s defence of the present administration and his argument that its achievements should be considered within the context of the conditions it inherited.
Education: Adeleke Highlights Free Schooling, Teacher Recruitment
On education, Adeleke criticised the previous administration’s approach to public schools, alleging that policies introduced under Ajimobi placed additional financial pressure on parents.
He said Makinde’s government restored free education in public schools, recruited more than 5,000 teachers and constructed over 200 model schools.
According to him, these measures represented a significant departure from the previous administration’s policies and demonstrated the present government’s commitment to expanding access to education.
Adeleke maintained that the impact of these interventions should be considered when assessing the governor’s overall performance, particularly in relation to opportunities available to children from low-income households.
The figures and claims cited by Adeleke were not independently verified in his statement.
World Bank Projects, Circular Road Feature in Defence
Adeleke also defended the administration’s handling of development grants and externally supported infrastructure programmes, attributing Oyo State’s renewed engagement with the World Bank to Makinde’s payment of counterpart funding.
He specifically mentioned the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), which supports rural road development, and the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP), which addresses urban flooding and drainage challenges.
On the proposed Ibadan Circular Road, Adeleke criticised the previous administration’s build-operate-transfer arrangement, alleging that it had failed to achieve financial closure over three years.
He argued that terminating the arrangement was necessary to protect the state from potential legal and financial complications, adding that the present administration had made progress on the project.
Adeleke claimed that about 70 kilometres of the route had been cleared, presenting this as evidence of work on the ground rather than plans announced without visible implementation.
The claims concerning the previous contract, the reasons for its termination and the reported progress on the new project would require confirmation from official project records.
Healthcare, Airport, Stadium Projects Cited
In the health sector, Adeleke said Makinde’s administration had equipped Adeoyo Hospital, upgraded 264 primary healthcare centres across the state’s wards, procured oxygen plants and employed more than 1,000 health workers.
He also criticised the previous administration’s handling of the health sector, alleging that doctors experienced prolonged industrial action during that period.
On aviation, Adeleke said the state government had upgraded the Ibadan Airport, describing the development as part of efforts to improve its operational capacity and position it for international-standard services.
He also cited the reconstruction of Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, as another major achievement, recalling that the facility had hosted the Super Eagles following its redevelopment.
Adeleke further praised the Light-Up Oyo initiative, arguing that improved public lighting had enhanced nightlife, commercial activity and the general appearance of Ibadan.
He presented these projects as evidence that Makinde’s administration had pursued development across multiple sectors rather than concentrating exclusively on road construction.
‘Judge Makinde by Results, Not Political Rhetoric’
Adeleke urged Ojo to deploy his experience as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to examine the administration’s record through facts, figures and relevant judicial authorities.
He cautioned against allowing political considerations to overshadow professional analysis, arguing that public officeholders should be assessed by their performance and the measurable impact of their policies.
According to Adeleke, Makinde’s achievements should be evaluated through the condition of roads, the delivery of public education, improvements in healthcare, payment of salaries and the execution of infrastructure projects.
He also recalled the legal and electoral challenges faced by the governor, noting that the opposition had challenged his mandate at the polls and through the courts without successfully overturning his election.
Adeleke concluded that Oyo State had moved beyond the political disputes surrounding the administration and that the governor’s record would ultimately be judged by residents.
He described Makinde as a widely respected and deeply spiritual leader, expressing confidence that the administration’s projects and policies would remain central to public assessment of its performance.
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