The Oyo State Government has protested the exclusion of Governor Seyi Makinde from the flag-off of the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road in Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.
The Federal Government flagged off the project at Idi Ayunre on Monday.
Those at the ceremony included Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Minister of Works, David Umahi; APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sarafadeen Alli; and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
Reacting to Makinde’s absence, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the governor’s exclusion was political.
He said the decision to leave Makinde out of the road project was “taking politics too far”.
Oyelade said the ceremony fell short of what was expected because of what he described as a “desperate political undertone” and lack of confidence.
The commissioner also rejected the explanation that Makinde was not invited because he was on leave.
According to him, there was an Acting Governor in the state who could have represented Makinde at the event.
He said, “The excuse that the invitation was not extended to Governor Makinde because he was on leave makes the case even more ridiculous because there is a functional Acting Governor on the ground.”
Oyelade said Makinde was not worried by his exclusion but regretted that an important government project had been turned into a political event.
He said, “Governor Seyi Makinde is unperturbed and regrets that the event was reduced to a political jamboree.”
The commissioner also linked the development to the 2027 elections, saying political actions would not stop the people from deciding whom they want.
“The course of 2027 is set, and no level of indecorum or desperation from whatever quarters will hold back the will of the people,” he said.
The Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road is an important road linking Oyo and Ogun states and is expected to improve the movement of people, goods and services across the South-West.