By Wale Adeniran, Southwest Bureau
The Save Oyo Movement (SOM) has accused Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of spending another N2 billion on an Opposition Parties Summit held in Ibadan on Saturday, intensifying concerns over what it describes as excessive and politically motivated use of public funds.
In a statement released on Sunday and signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Akeem Oladiti, the group alleged that the governor has spent more than N10 billion out of the N30 billion received from the Federal Government for victims of the January 2024 Ibadan explosion, channeling it instead into political pursuits ahead of the 2027 elections.
SOM called for an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), adding that it plans to formally petition both agencies.
The group questioned why funds meant as relief for explosion victims had allegedly been diverted, claiming that significant sums were used for political events.
It cited over N5 billion reportedly spent on the November 15 and 16, 2025 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention in Ibadan, as well as N1.5 billion allegedly spent on a failed coronation ceremony that was boycotted by three Ibadan High Chiefs.
“The main target of his coronation was Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who is being touted as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, forgetting that being a traditional ruler does not prevent anyone from aspiring into public offices.
“Now, mindful of his dwindled political fortune, Governor Makinde, hurriedly organised the political summit held in Ibadan yesterday, just to sell his ambition to be vice presidential candidate, and on it, over N2 billion Oyo State money was spent.
“Even though we are not against the governor, or anyone having political ambition and pursuing it, but it must not be at the expense of the welfare of the people of Oyo State, and on this one, we will do all that we can to make Governor Makinde to account for his wasteful spending of the State funds,” the group stated.
