SSACO demands immediate halt to proposed deal, says public assets belong to the people

The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has warned Governor Seyi Makinde against any move to sell or allocate the Cheshire Home land in Eleyele, Ibadan, to private developers, insisting that public properties must be protected for the benefit of the people.

The organisation said the reported plan had raised fresh concerns about the handling of public assets in Oyo State, warning that the state could lose valuable land needed for future public infrastructure if such properties were transferred to private interests without proper justification.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Director of Media and Publicity of SSACO, Bisi Oladele, called for an immediate halt to any proposed transaction involving the Cheshire Home land.

Oladele said the governor was only a custodian of the state’s assets and had a responsibility to protect them for present and future generations.

“Governor Makinde must understand that he is a temporary custodian of the people’s commonwealth, not its absolute owner,” the statement said.

The organisation questioned the wisdom of disposing of public land in strategic locations when the state would continue to need space for schools, hospitals, recreational centres, social welfare institutions and other essential facilities.

It warned that public assets acquired or preserved by previous administrations should not be allowed to disappear without clear explanations of the reasons for their disposal and the benefits to the people.

“What will be left for future generations if every strategically located public property is converted into a private estate, shopping complex or commercial development?” the organisation asked.

SSACO argued that as Ibadan and other parts of the state continue to grow, land would become increasingly important for public infrastructure and social services. It said government should be looking for ways to expand such facilities rather than reduce the assets available for public use.

The organisation also expressed concern about what it described as recurring controversies surrounding the ownership, allocation and commercial development of public properties under the Makinde administration.

It called on the state government to clarify the status of the Cheshire Home land and explain whether any sale or allocation to private developers was being considered.

According to SSACO, decisions involving public properties must be guided by transparency, accountability and the overall interest of residents, not commercial considerations alone.

The organisation therefore demanded an immediate suspension of any proposed sale or allocation of the land until the circumstances surrounding the reported plan were made clear.

It also urged the government to ensure that any decision concerning public assets was open to scrutiny and supported by compelling reasons.

“Oyo State belongs to its people, and its collective inheritance must be protected,” the statement added.

The Oyo State chapter of the City Boy Movement has warned political groups claiming allegiance to the All Progressives Congress against promoting opposition candidates, saying party loyalty should not depend on personal interests.

The state Director of the movement, Hon. Olufemi Onireti, gave the warning in a statement on Monday, declaring the group’s support for the APC and all its candidates.

Onireti said the movement would not support some candidates of the party while backing others from rival political parties.

“We are unequivocally loyal to the APC and all its candidates. Our loyalty is not selective, and we will not support one candidate while abandoning another,” he said.

He expressed concern over the activities of groups that identify with the APC but openly campaign for candidates of other political parties.

According to him, such conduct raises questions about their commitment to the party, particularly when political interests are placed above party loyalty.

“You cannot claim to be committed to the APC while simultaneously promoting candidates of other political parties based on personal interests or political calculations,” Onireti said.

He stressed that the movement would not associate with any arrangement that undermined the APC or promoted rival candidates under the guise of supporting the ruling party.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Oyo City Boy Movement stands firmly with the APC and all its candidates. We will not be part of any arrangement that undermines the party’s interests,” he added.

Onireti also expressed appreciation to members and supporters who attended the movement’s inaugural event held last week.

He particularly thanked the Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, and the state Women Leader, Dr Mrs Felicia Adekemi Opatunde, for attending the event and supporting the movement.

He also commended the executives and members across the state’s zones for their contributions to the success of the inauguration.

The director urged APC stakeholders and affiliated groups to demonstrate consistency in their political allegiance, calling for greater discipline and unity within the party.

He said members should be able to distinguish groups genuinely committed to the APC from those whose political activities suggest otherwise.

Team Arapaja, a political group loyal to former Oyo State Deputy Governor Taofeek Arapaja, has challenged the All Progressives Movement governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, to address allegations against him before making accusations against political opponents.

The group made the call in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Comrade Ibrahim Sheriff, in reaction to Adekanmbi’s recent appearance on Fresh FM, where he reportedly accused the All Progressives Congress candidate of embezzling funds while serving as chairman of Ibadan North Local Government.

Adekanmbi was also reported to have claimed that he had evidence to back up his allegation.

But Team Arapaja dismissed the claim as political mudslinging, questioning why Adekanmbi had yet to make the alleged evidence public despite Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s previous electoral contests, including the 2023 Oyo South Senatorial District election.

The group said voters should not take serious allegations at face value but should demand evidence and examine the records of those seeking public office.

It also questioned Adekanmbi’s record during his time as acting chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue and commissioner for finance, alleging that some staff members were subjected to humiliation and mistreatment under his leadership.

The statement further raised questions over allegations concerning ₦30bn in local government funds during his tenure as finance commissioner, challenging him to publicly address the matter.

Team Arapaja, however, did not provide documentary evidence to substantiate the allegations in its statement.

The group also questioned Adekanmbi’s political relationship with Governor Seyi Makinde, citing his reported admission that he associated with the governor for nearly seven years after the death of his former political benefactor, the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

It alleged that Adekanmbi’s relationship with Makinde raised questions about his political loyalty and suggested that he should explain his role during the period.

The group further challenged him to respond to allegations that he provided the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with information about properties belonging to the Ajimobi family.

Team Arapaja said the issues deserved clarification, particularly given what it described as the role of the Ajimobi family in bringing Adekanmbi from the private sector into public service.

Quoting the saying, “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands,” the group questioned whether Adekanmbi had adequately addressed the allegations it raised before criticising other politicians.

It also recalled the controversy surrounding the 2023 governorship election campaign, when Governor Makinde reportedly made allegations against the then APC governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin.

The group urged politicians to avoid making accusations they could not substantiate, warning that such claims could distract voters from issues of governance and accountability.

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, Team Arapaja urged residents of Oyo State to scrutinise the records, integrity and competence of candidates rather than be swayed by campaign rhetoric.

It challenged Adekanmbi to respond to the issues raised and provide evidence for his own allegations against political opponents.