• Watchdogs accuse Makinde of killing Water Corporation, converting Agodi reservoir to shopping complex

The political pressure group, Watchdogs for Good Governance, has accused the Oyo State Government of abandoning the state’s public water system despite billions of naira allegedly allocated to the sector over the past seven years.

The group also accused Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration of gradually killing the Oyo State Water Corporation and converting a strategic state water reservoir at Agodi, along Old Ife Road, Ibadan, into a shopping complex.

In a strongly worded statement issued yesterday in Ibadan by its Convener, Comrade Ahmed Adeyemo, the group said residents had been left to provide water for themselves through boreholes and wells, with attendant health and environmental consequences.

It described the alleged conversion of the Agodi water reservoir as “unfortunate, insensitive and a monumental fraud that must be questioned.”

“The conversion of a state water reservoir to a shopping complex is a slap in the face of the good people of Oyo State.

“Today, lack of clean potable water has forced our people to rely on boreholes. It increases the spread of diseases and inflicts untold hardship,” the group said.

According to Watchdogs for Good Governance, the Oyo State Water Corporation, established in 1977 from the defunct Western Nigeria Water Corporation, provided potable water to Ibadan and other major towns for decades before its alleged gradual decline.

The group asked the government to explain the challenges confronting the corporation and why existing public water infrastructure could not be rehabilitated.

“What challenges was the Corporation facing that could not be addressed without destroying existing public infrastructure? Governor Makinde must explain to the people why he chose to sell off their future,” Adeyemo said.

The group also challenged the state government to publish audited accounts of expenditure on the water sector, alleging that budgetary provisions running into billions of naira had been made for water projects over the years.

“Records are there for sons and daughters of Oyo State to verify. Billions were provided for in the budget for water every year. Where did the money go? Why are taps dry? Why does the Water Corporation exist only on paper?” it asked.

The group further warned against the increasing resort to indiscriminate digging of wells and boreholes by residents desperate for water.

It said uncontrolled groundwater extraction could create environmental and climatic problems, including groundwater contamination and land subsidence.

Watchdogs for Good Governance contrasted the situation with previous administrations, which it said invested heavily in the state’s water infrastructure.

It specifically cited the administrations of Senator Rashidi Ladoja, now the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala and Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

According to the group, the three administrations embarked on rehabilitation and expansion of major water facilities, including the Asejire and Eleyele water treatment plants, thereby increasing water production capacity for Ibadan and adjoining communities.

“They built and maintained. This administration destroys and converts. If past governors had sold public infrastructures the way Makinde is doing, what would he have been selling today?” the group asked.

The group alleged that the Makinde administration had failed to provide public water supply in any part of Oyo State since 2019, insisting that the crisis was not limited to Ibadan.

“The Seyi Makinde administration has not been able to provide water in any part of Oyo State since 2019. It is not peculiar to Ibadan only, in spite of the billions of naira claimed to have been budgeted and possibly spent.

“This is a clear manifestation of corruption by his administration,” it alleged.

The group also criticised what it described as “cosmetic projects” by the administration, arguing that government should prioritise infrastructure capable of improving residents’ daily lives.

“His lack of understanding of governance led to many cosmetic projects that look good on billboards but add no value to the daily survival of the people. Water is life. You cannot replace water with a shopping complex,” it said.

However, official records from the Oyo State Government indicate that the administration has undertaken or announced several interventions in the water sector.

The government has reported rehabilitation work on water pipelines in parts of Ibadan, as well as interventions involving the Eleyele and Asejire water facilities. It has also reported the rehabilitation of Eleyele Dam with technical support from the World Bank and the resuscitation of the Osupa water reservoir in Ogbomoso.

The group, however, maintained that such interventions had not translated into regular public water supply for many residents across the state.

It consequently called for greater transparency in the management of funds allocated to the sector and vowed to continue pressing for accountability.

The group said the next administration would be expected to examine the state’s records on expenditure and projects in the water sector.

“Makinde should prepare to answer many questions after handing over to a more progressive government in May 2027. No secret will be left unexposed.

“The people of Oyo State deserve to know why they are drinking borehole water in 2026 after billions budgeted for clean water,” it said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has described Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential project as a script packaged to create an avenue for him to escape from the country before May 29, 2027, in his desperate bid to evade justice in view of the many alleged cases of graft and abuse of office hanging over him.

Makinde, who is in his second and final term in office as the Executive Governor of Oyo State, is the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in the 2027 general elections and is allegedly squandering the resources of Oyo State on random political activities.

In a statement issued at the weekend and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the Oyo APC faulted the reported declaration of Monday, September 21, as a public holiday in the state to popularise a musical concert organised to entertain some fun-seeking youths in Ibadan, describing the development as an abuse of office by the governor.

“Many political watchers have been wondering how an accidental governor like Seyi Makinde would dream of becoming a president at a time when a master of the game has his hands on the lever. Some pundits have also described Gov. Makinde’s tall dream as a mere show of comedy since it is devoid of any substance, clear-cut strategy and seriousness on his part as a contestant.

“Meanwhile, we can authoritatively inform the whole world that Makinde is only out to hoodwink Nigerians, distract the anti-graft agencies which are on his cases and also secure an escape route from the country anytime from January 1, 2027. We are working on the details of his plans even as relevant security agents are already on red alert because he (Makinde) will be made to answer for all his atrocities since he was sworn in as governor in May 2019.

“False asset declaration, diversion of local government council funds, contract sum variation, money laundering, land grabbing, sponsorship of violence, illegal sale of government properties, collection of fraudulent loans, contempt of court and disobedience to court orders, among other crimes, are too weighty to be swept under the carpet. The governor and the handful of individuals who are liable to prosecution over these cases know what lies ahead of them, and this explains why they want to run away before May 29, 2027.

“After he had played an inglorious role in the relegation of the PDP, Makinde made it to a colourless APM and hijacked the party’s presidential ticket. The same APM was roundly beaten in the by-elections held in six different constituencies across the country over the weekend, as it can only boast of a few members in Oyo and Bauchi states out of the 36 states and the FCT. How, then, can Makinde contest and win a presidential election in the country under the unpopular political party?” APC queried.

Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, has congratulated Nigeria’s Ambassador to Austria, Dr Florence Ajimobi, on her appointment as Nigeria’s Governor on the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Ajimobi’s appointment is for the 2026–2028 term, following Nigeria’s election to the 35-member IAEA Board during the agency’s 70th General Conference in Vienna, Austria.

Alli, in a statement on Sunday, described the appointment as a significant diplomatic achievement for Ajimobi and a source of pride for Oyo State and Nigeria.

He said the appointment reflected the confidence placed in Ajimobi’s diplomatic experience and her capacity to represent Nigeria in discussions on the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology.

“This is not only a personal achievement for Ambassador Ajimobi but also a proud moment for Oyo State and Nigeria.

“Her appointment reflects the confidence reposed in her ability to contribute to critical global discussions on nuclear science and technology,” Alli said.

The APC candidate said Nigeria’s membership of the IAEA Board would give the country a stronger platform to participate in global discussions on nuclear governance and advance its interests in the peaceful application of nuclear technology.

According to him, nuclear science has important applications in sectors including healthcare, agriculture, energy, environmental protection and scientific research.

Alli urged Ajimobi to use her experience to promote initiatives that would support the development and responsible application of nuclear science and technology in Nigeria and other developing countries.

He specifically mentioned nuclear medicine, food security and clean energy as areas where greater international cooperation could benefit developing countries.

“Ambassador Ajimobi’s appointment comes at a time when the world is seeking safer, cleaner and more sustainable solutions to its energy and development challenges.

“I am confident that she will bring her expertise, integrity and commitment to the board and make Nigeria proud,” he said.

Alli also commended the Federal Government for supporting Nigeria’s representation on the IAEA Board, saying the development would further strengthen the country’s engagement in international diplomacy.

He wished Ajimobi a successful tenure and urged Oyo State stakeholders to celebrate the appointment as a reflection of the state’s contribution to national and international affairs.