The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over plans to secure a fresh N100 billion loan, alleging that the proposed borrowing could place an additional financial burden on the state and future administrations.
The organisation, which supports Senator Sharafadeen Alli, described the move as fiscally irresponsible and questioned the economic justification for taking on additional debt with the governor’s tenure approaching its end.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, SSACO alleged that the proposed loan was politically motivated and intended to support electoral activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation also criticised the speed with which the Oyo State House of Assembly reportedly approved the borrowing proposal, arguing that the decision raised concerns about legislative scrutiny and accountability.
“There is no doubt that the proposed borrowing was not driven by any genuine developmental consideration but by a desperate political agenda to finance the 2027 elections and sustain Governor Makinde’s increasingly uncertain political ambition,” the statement alleged.
SSACO further claimed that the loan could undermine the financial position of the incoming administration, particularly if the funds were not tied to clearly defined and economically beneficial projects.
The organisation argued that with the administration having only a limited period left in office, the government needed to demonstrate how the proposed borrowing would improve infrastructure, healthcare, education and employment.
It alleged that Makinde’s political ambitions and succession plans were influencing the decision, while predicting that his preferred successor could struggle to secure electoral support.
However, the organisation did not present documentary evidence in the statement to substantiate its allegation that the proposed loan was intended to finance political campaigns.
SSACO also faulted the state House of Assembly, accusing lawmakers of failing to exercise sufficient independence in scrutinising the executive’s borrowing requests.
It said legislative approval alone did not guarantee that a borrowing decision was economically sound, transparent or in the public interest.
“The House of Assembly must understand that its constitutional responsibility is to protect the interests of the people, not merely to provide legislative cover for the financial excesses of the executive,” the organisation stated.
The group warned that it would oppose any attempt to use public borrowing to finance partisan political activities, insisting that the state’s financial resources and creditworthiness should not be treated as the property of an individual governor or political party.
It further argued that the consequences of additional borrowing could extend beyond the current administration, leaving future governments and residents responsible for servicing the debt.
SSACO maintained that no amount of borrowed money could determine the outcome of the 2027 governorship election, insisting that voters should decide who succeeds Makinde.
It also warned that a future administration could subject questionable financial commitments to legal and financial scrutiny, adding that legislative approval would not prevent accountability where wrongdoing was established.
The organisation called on the governor to reconsider the proposed borrowing and focus on handing over a financially sustainable state when his administration ends in May 2027.
It urged the state government to provide clear information about the purpose of the loan, its repayment terms and the expected benefits to residents.
The allegations represent the position of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation. The statement provided did not include a response from the Oyo State Government or an independent assessment of the proposed loan’s purpose and financial implications.
