Olusegun Adeyemo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State on Monday staged a protest in Ibadan against what it described as intimidation of its members by the state House of Assembly and the recent N300 billion loan request of the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration.
Speaking during the demonstration, Oyo State APC Chairman, Mr. Olayide Abass, cautioned the government against mortgaging the future of the people with what he termed a rising debt profile.
Abass alleged that Honourable Ibrahim Shittu, the lawmaker representing Saki West Constituency, had received threat messages after raising concerns about the loan approval process.
He further argued that the approval of the N300 billion loan by less than two-thirds of the House contravened due process and risked plunging the state into a deeper financial crisis.
“The state has been enjoying increased monthly allocations from the Federation Account since the advent of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. With this rise in revenue, there is no justification for burdening the state with fresh loans,” Abass said.
The APC chairman also urged Governor Makinde to embrace transparency and prioritize accountability in managing state resources rather than resorting to what he described as reckless borrowing.
Hon. Shittu had earlier faulted the loan approval, insisting that the process fell short of constitutional requirements since it did not secure the mandatory two-thirds majority endorsement of the assembly.
