The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation has criticised Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, over his comments on increased allocations to states from the Federation Account and the persistence of hunger.
The organisation, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, on Tuesday, said Makinde’s remarks raised questions about the management of increased revenues accruing to Oyo State.
Makinde had, while speaking at the APM North-Central Town Hall Meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Monday, acknowledged that state governments were receiving more money from the Federation Account but said the increased revenue had not translated into reduced hunger.
He also said Oyo State’s dependence on federal allocation had declined from more than 80 per cent when he assumed office in 2019 to about 65 per cent in 2022, before rising again to almost 80 per cent following subsequent changes in the economic environment.
Reacting, the Alli Campaign Organisation argued that the governor’s acknowledgement of increased Federation Account revenue was evidence of the impact of the economic policies of the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu.
The organisation questioned whether the responsibility for ensuring that increased revenue translates into improved living conditions should rest solely with the Federal Government or also with state governments receiving the funds.
It said: “If you have acknowledged that monthly, you have been getting more money from the Federation Account, who are you expecting to come and help you to fight hunger in your state? Is it President Tinubu?”
The organisation also accused Makinde of opposing local government autonomy in Oyo State, alleging that the governor had continued to exercise control over local government finances.
It argued that stronger local government administration would enable councils to respond more directly to the needs of residents.
The campaign organisation further criticised Makinde over his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections, saying the people of Oyo State would ultimately determine the political future of the governor and those seeking to extend his political platform beyond his tenure.
The statement was issued in response to Makinde’s comments in Lafia, where he also unveiled his “Reset Nigeria” agenda and said he could reset the country within four years if elected president in 2027.
Makinde said the 2027 election would ultimately be determined by Nigerians rather than political influence, pollsters, wealthy individuals or campaign spending.
