The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has been called on to address unfulfilled promises to the citizens of the southwestern state promptly and transparently....READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
The governor was urged to ensure that efforts are made to provide explanations for unmet promises and strategies for their eventual fulfilment.
The ‘Oyo Progress Watch’, a project initiated to keep Governors of Oyo State accountable through tracking, reminding, and advocating for promises made to the people of the state, described Governor Makinde’s first year in his second term as a blend of successes and shortcomings.
According to Project Lead, Habib Sheidu, the Oyo Progress Watch initiative is an evaluation tool for introspection and course correction, guiding the government’s actions towards fulfilling its commitments and realising the aspirations of the people of Oyo State.
The initiative noted that while it was commendable that several promises have been fulfilled or are in progress, areas where further attention and action are required to ensure the fulfilment of commitments made to the people of Oyo State remain highlighted.
The social accountability initiative, supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), managed by LEAP Africa, and technically aided by the AdvoKC Foundation, examined approximately 11 promises Governor Seyi Makinde pledged to fulfil during his second term in the first year of office.
In the report of the initiative’s project monitoring effort, it found that the government managed to keep only 5 promises, left another 5 promises unfulfilled, and according to its findings, one project was compromised.
The Oyo Progress Watch, in its report on “Tracking Government Manifesto Promises for Oyo State, One Year In,” noted that during Seyi Makinde’s first term in office, he claimed to have kept 70% of his promises.
Confident in having laid the right foundation for re-engineering a modern Oyo State using the Roadmap to Accelerated Development 2019-2023, he aims to consolidate his achievements under the banner of Omituntun 2.0.
In an analysis of the 11 promises Makinde said he would complete in his first year after re-election, the Progress Watch noted where the Governor promised: “We’ll complete the Iwo Road and New Ife Road Bus Terminals within the first year of being re-elected.”
These are the last two of the four bus terminals being constructed by the Oyo State Government. Both terminals at Iwo Road and New Ife Road are already linked by a pedestrian bridge to enable easy access for commuters.
In the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023-2027, Governor Seyi Makinde assured that the Iwo Road Bus Interchange would be completed within the first year of his re-election (19th March 2023 – 18th March 2024).
Like the completed Challenge and Ojoo Bus Terminals, the plan for the Iwo Road Bus Interchange shows that it will contain administrative offices, restaurants, and shops, among other facilities.
The project monitor noted that despite significant progress, the promise was given a timeline of one year for completion. Given the current status, the project monitor rated the promise as unfulfilled.
In another project, Governor Makinde was quoted on the promise: “Within the first year of being re-elected, we will renovate the one-of-its-kind Ibadan Cultural Centre and have it ready for the first state-hosted cultural trade show.”
Governor Seyi Makinde pledged to renovate the Ibadan Cultural Centre within the first year of his re-election, aiming to have it ready for the first state-hosted cultural trade show.
The Oyo Progress Watch stated that it observed that the promise remains unfulfilled. The project monitor noted that despite the one-year timeframe for the project, there are no ongoing renovations at the State’s Cultural Centre. As a result, it rated the promise as unfulfilled.
Third on the list is the promise: “We will complete the ongoing 11 MW Independent Power Project (IPP) within the first year of being re-elected.”
The Oyo Project Watch noted that Governor Makinde promised to complete the ongoing 11 MW Independent Power Project (IPP) within the first year of being re-elected, aiming to provide about 15-20% of the current average power distributed to residents of Oyo State from the national grid.
The project monitors noted that the project’s completion, however, re-estimated for Q2 2024, has surpassed the original timeline set by the governor. The promise was therefore rated unfulfilled.
Another promise quoted where the governor stated: “We will appoint three youths under 40 to serve in the reconstituted Oyo State Executive Council,” was rated unfulfilled.
As stated in the promise, Governor Seyi Makinde pledged to appoint three youths under 40 into the Oyo State Executive Council to enhance youth inclusion in governance. However, upon tracking, it was found that only two youths under 40, Miss Wasilat Adegoke and Barr. Seun Ashamu, were appointed as commissioners.
A promise where the governor was quoted stating: “We will expand the 615 Citizen’s Enquiry Number to cover medical emergencies,” was also rated unfulfilled.
Governor Seyi Makinde also was noted to have promised to expand the 615 toll-free Citizen’s Enquiry Number to include coverage for medical emergencies.
“However, there were no prompts or indications of such expansion during verification, indicating that the promise has not been fulfilled. Therefore, it is rated as a promise unfulfilled,” the Project Watch stated.
The first in the Oyo Project Watch‘s list of 5 promises kept includes that which the governor stated: “We will increase the number of women commissioners in the reconstituted Oyo State Executive Council from two to four.”
Governor Seyi Makinde was quoted by the monitors to have pledged to increase the number of female commissioners in his cabinet to four, aiming to foster inclusivity.
The promise, according to the Watch, was fulfilled when four female commissioners were sworn in, including Miss Wasilat Adegoke, Dr. Adewumi Ajetunmobi, Alhaja Fausat Joke Sanni, and Mrs. Toyin Balogun.
Others include the promise of “expansion of the 615 Citizen’s Enquiry Number to accommodate a dedicated helpline for victims of domestic violence and children facing sexual or physical abuse in the State.”
According to the Project Watch, Governor Makinde promised to expand the 615 Citizen’s Enquiry Number to include a dedicated helpline for victims of domestic violence and children facing abuse.
Upon verification, the Oyo Project Watch said it was confirmed that the number is toll-free and operational, catering to people facing abuse or emergencies in the state. Therefore, it was rated as a promise kept.
Another is a promise “to sponsor a bill to reform and protect property rights and prevent the State from arbitrarily revoking land ownership within one year of being re-elected.”
This promise was rated as fulfilled as the Property Rights Bill 2023 was sponsored and passed through readings, awaiting final approval.
Another promise to “continue the trend of ensuring that capital expenditure is higher than recurrent expenditure. We will aim for 55% CapEx at the end of our tenure,” was rated as kept with Governor Makinde’s budget proposal for the fiscal year indicating a higher capital expenditure compared to recurrent expenditure, meeting the promise.
Governor Makinde, quoted to have promised in his manifesto, stating that: “We will maintain the 15-20% allocation to the education sector in each budget from 2023-2027,” was rated as a promise kept with the allocation for 2023 being N58.2 billion (18.74%) (Budget, 2023), while that of 2024 is N90.6 billion (20.88%).
Although the promise is in progress, based on the review for the first year, it was rated as positive.
The only promise on the list rated as compromised is that where the governor was quoted to have stated: “We will introduce the pilot of a state-backed student loan system within the first year of being re-elected.”
The Oyo Project Watch, in its analysis, stated that while the initiative commenced, it only catered to 96 indigenous students of federal institutions, deviating from the promised scope. Hence, Project Watch’s rating of the project as compromised.
The Oyo Project Watch recommended that as the government progresses into its second year, a renewed focus on prioritising promises with direct and tangible impact on the welfare of the populace is essential.
“This strategic alignment ensures that resources are optimally utilised to address pressing societal needs,” Mr. Sheidu said.
“Leveraging partnerships and collaborations with relevant stakeholders, including civil society organisations and the private sector, can enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of governance initiatives,” he added.
The social accountability body also said that emphasis should be placed on initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare, education, and infrastructure development, considering their significance in driving socio-economic growth and improving the quality of life for Oyo State residents.
“By embracing transparency, prioritising impactful initiatives, and fostering collaboration, Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration can navigate the challenges ahead and pave the way for a more prosperous and inclusive Oyo State,” Sheidu added.
