The government of Oyo State has officially debunked claims regarding its alleged absence from the National Economic Council (NEC), describing the assertions made by Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi as baseless assumptions that ignore established governance procedures.
Clarifying the state’s ongoing participation, official records confirm that Oyo State has consistently maintained active, top-tier representation at all NEC meetings to protect its developmental and economic interests.
Why Oyo State Formally Structured Its NEC Delegation
Rebutting the criticism, the state government clarified that Governor Seyi Makinde formally communicated with the Vice President—who serves as the statutory Chairman of the National Economic Council—notifying the federal authority that the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, would regularly represent the administration at council gatherings.
This administrative arrangement aligns entirely with established constitutional guidelines, which explicitly permit either the state governor or the deputy governor to represent a state. Numerous state governments across Nigeria routinely adopt this official procedure to guarantee administrative continuity and unbroken governance. The claim that Oyo State has been sidelined or missing simply because Governor Seyi Makinde did not physically sit in every session fundamentally misinterprets standard intergovernmental policy.
Strategic Benefits Secured Through National Economic Council Engagement
The benefits derived from participation in the council extend far beyond physical attendance. The council serves as a crucial intergovernmental vehicle for aligning macroeconomic policies, expanding access to federal funds, and securing critical development financing. Key areas of focus include agriculture, infrastructure, human capital, digital enterprise, food security, and climate resilience.
For a rapidly expanding economy like Oyo State, active engagement in these council sessions remains vital for driving local development priorities, enhancing federal partnerships, and attracting strategic investments. Consequently, effective state participation must be measured by the quality of representation, the policies championed, and the actual benefits delivered to citizens, rather than mere executive attendance.
“Since 2025, the Deputy Governor has consistently attended NEC meetings, contributed to deliberations, and safeguarded Oyo State’s interests. In addition, the Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning participates as part of the statutory technical support to the state.
This deliberate combination of executive political leadership and institutional technical support ensures that state submissions are supported by rigorous technical expertise.
Political Context and Fact-Based Public Discourse
Addressing the background of the allegations, official statements noted that while Chief Sanusi is primarily a business figure, his recent commentary reflects overt political stances, including public alignment with specific political candidates. Consequently, his observations cannot be viewed as neutral commentary.
While civic feedback remains a vital part of democratic culture, public critiques regarding governance must rely on verifiable facts rather than political narrative building.
“Oyo State’s interests must take precedence over political point scoring. The relevant questions are straightforward: Is the state represented? Are its interests being advanced? What benefits accrue to its people? On all counts, Oyo State has fulfilled its obligations and secured its entitlements.”
Unbroken Record at Federal Deliberations
The state administration reiterated that its record within the national council remains completely intact and fully documented.
“Oyo State’s record at the National Economic Council speaks for itself: present, active, and consistently advancing the interests of its people. No amount of political spin or misinformed commentary can erase that reality. The Makinde administration will not allow narratives built on conjecture to overshadow verifiable facts or undermine the work being done on behalf of the state.”
