Adedokun Waliyu 
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to provide a detailed explanation for the approval of a newly authorized N50bn loan by the House of Assembly.
In a statement released by Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao, a chieftain of the party, the APC emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the governor’s decision-making process.
Alao called on Makinde to justify the need for the loan and provide a breakdown of the estimated budget and cost per project.
“While taking loans is not bad, it is incumbent on any leader doing such on behalf of the people to be open to them on reasons for the loans,” said Alao. “It is important for Governor Makinde to give a breakdown of what he intends to use the approved N50b for.”
Alao also urged the governor to prioritize critical areas like education, security, health, job creation for the youth, and environmental issues.
He cautioned the governor against incurring unnecessary debts that would leave the state in financial distress for years to come.
“In the last four years, the governor has borrowed over N100 billion,” Alao added. “The absence of the lawmakers who are members of the APC during the sitting when the loan was approved could not but raise an alarm of the House populated by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), only doing the bidding of Governor Makinde.”
The APC chieftain called on the House of Assembly to exercise discretion when approving loans presented by the executive, noting that the lawmakers were elected to represent the interests of the people.
“It is necessary to sound a note of caution to our dear Governor Seyi Makinde on the fresh loan of N50 billion just approved for him by the state House of Assembly,” said Alao.
“The people of the state as stakeholders deserve a right for convincing reasons for any loan to be taken on their behalf most especially the economic benefits of the projects to them in order not to mortgage their collective patrimony.”
