Dotun Sanusi challenges Oyo government to publish a comprehensive 2019–2026 governance scorecard showing the state’s revenue, borrowing, debt obligations and spending during the period.
The Chairman of Ilaji Hotels and Resort and Gbonka Olubadan of Ibadanland said the document should include details of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations, loans, debt servicing, capital expenditure and recurrent expenditure.
Sanusi also wants the government to provide verifiable data on its performance in education, healthcare, agriculture, employment and poverty reduction.
He made the call while responding to criticism of his recent comments on the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Dotun Sanusi Challenges Oyo Government on Accountability
Sanusi said the debate over the government’s performance should be based on facts and publicly available records rather than personalities.
He acknowledged that the Makinde administration had recorded achievements in road construction, education, healthcare, agriculture and recruitment.
He cited the Oyo-Iseyin Road, teacher recruitment, agricultural support programmes and the upgrading of primary healthcare centres among the initiatives carried out by the administration.
However, he said the existence of projects should not be the only measure of good governance.
“Acknowledging projects is not the same thing as declaring seven years of universally ‘people-friendly’ governance. That distinction is fundamental,” Sanusi said.
He questioned whether poverty had declined, household purchasing power had improved and unemployment had fallen during the period.
He also asked whether education and healthcare outcomes had recorded measurable improvements.
Sanusi Wants Oyo Government’s Finances Examined
Sanusi said any assessment of the state government must also take its financial position into account.
According to him, borrowing and debt obligations should be considered alongside infrastructure projects and other government achievements.
“A responsible government must be judged by both sides of its balance sheet: What did it build—and what did it obligate future taxpayers to pay?” he asked.
The businessman proposed that the figures in the proposed scorecard should be independently examined by economists, engineers, accountants, academics, civil society organisations, journalists and members of the public.
“That is the debate I want. Not insults. Not insinuations. Not ‘masquerade.’ Facts. Figures. Documents. Outcomes,” he said.
Sanusi Denies Hidden Hand Behind Criticism
Sanusi also dismissed suggestions that someone else was behind his earlier criticism of the Oyo State Government.
His response followed an article by Ibadan-based lawyer, Mr Morohunkola Thomas, who had described Sanusi’s intervention as vague and asked the “real author” to come forward.
“There is no masquerade. The statement was mine. The convictions are mine. The concerns are mine. And I am prepared to defend every word in the full daylight of public scrutiny,” Sanusi said.
He maintained that his comments were about governance and accountability, not a personal dispute with the governor.
‘Respect for Office Does Not Mean Silence’
Sanusi said he respected Governor Makinde and the office of the governor but insisted that such respect should not prevent public criticism.
“There is no war between me and Governor Makinde. Governor Seyi Makinde is the Governor of Oyo State. He deserves the respect due to the office. But respect for an office does not mean silence,” he said.
Sanusi said Oyo residents deserve access to clear information about the state’s finances, projects and development outcomes.
He concluded that the state belongs to all its residents, regardless of political affiliation.
“Oyo State belongs to all of us—not to PDP, APC or any individual politician. Government comes and goes. But Oyo State remains.”
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