Oyo Assembly explains ‘secret approval of Makinde’s N300bn loan’
The Oyo State House of Assembly has dismissed allegations by Hon. Ibrahim Shittu, member representing Saki West Constituency, that the legislature secretly approved Governor Seyi Makinde’s N300 billion loan without proper notification to lawmakers. The Assembly described his remarks as misleading and politically motivated.
In a statement jointly signed by the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, and Chairman of the Committee on Information, Hon. Waheed Akintayo, the House maintained that all members were duly informed of the emergency plenary session held on August 19, 2025. According to them, evidence of the official notification was available on the Assembly’s general communication platform, which some members had acknowledged.
The leadership stressed that emergency sittings were not illegal but constitutional, explaining that legislatures at both state and federal levels often convene such sessions to handle pressing matters of public interest.
They accused Shittu of deliberately misrepresenting the process in order to score cheap political points.
Providing clarification on the loan request, the Assembly revealed that the facility was not entirely new. It explained that N149 billion of the package was designed to refinance an existing loan with United Bank for Africa (UBA), while the balance of N151 billion would be deployed to infrastructure development and contractors’ financing.
The statement added that Shittu either ignored or failed to understand this distinction.
The House further expressed disappointment over Shittu’s legislative record, describing him as the least active member of the 10th Assembly. Official attendance records reportedly show he was present at only 20 percent of sittings, frequently absent from critical sessions such as the governor’s budget presentation and the State of the State address.
Beyond poor attendance, the Assembly noted that Shittu had not sponsored any bill, moved any motion, or made meaningful contributions during plenary debates.
He was also said to have skipped oversight visits to local government projects and other assignments, leaving his constituents underrepresented.
“Rather than attempting to cover up his ineffectiveness with unfounded allegations, Hon. Shittu should channel his energy into performing his legislative duties,” the statement read.
“His consistent absenteeism and lack of participation have become an embarrassment to both the institution and the people of Saki West.”
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and good governance, the Assembly urged the public to disregard what it called politically motivated distractions.
It assured that lawmakers would continue to uphold accountability while ensuring that all legislative processes remain open and in line with constitutional provisions.
