The Oyo State chapter of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) has condemned the recent approval of N77 billion by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration for the upgrade of the Government House and the state airport, describing the move as “a stark display of insensitivity and misplacement of priority.”
In a statement signed by its state secretary, Ayodeji Adigun, on Thursday, the SPN accused the state government of turning its back on the needs of the masses while indulging in “luxury and prestige projects” that benefit only a privileged few.
The breakdown of the controversial allocation includes over N63 billion for the Government House and N14 billion for the upgrade of the Ibadan Airport.
“This is happening at a time when the majority of working-class people are battling worsening economic hardship, rising food prices, collapsing public services, and increasing unemployment,” the statement read.
The SPN argued that the government should instead channel the funds into a democratically managed public works programme that addresses urgent needs in education, healthcare, agriculture, and basic infrastructure.
The party criticised the poor state of public schools across Oyo, citing dilapidated infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and lack of teaching materials. Similarly, the health sector, it said, remains in crisis, with many public health facilities underfunded, poorly staffed, and lacking essential medicines.
On agriculture, the party questioned the effective use of loan facilities reportedly secured for the sector’s development, saying the government has failed to make it a priority despite its potential to ensure food security and create jobs.
While acknowledging the potential value of infrastructure projects like an airport upgrade, the SPN insisted that such spending must be subject to public debate and democratic scrutiny.
“It is not out of place to suspect that this outrageous spending, especially so close to the end of a political tenure, could be a smokescreen for a parting loot from the state’s coffers,” the statement alleged.
The SPN called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), student unions, civil society groups, and market associations to unite in demanding a reversal of the spending decision and the redirection of the funds to programmes that directly benefit the people.
