Oyo govt dismisses Sanusi’s claim of absence from NEC meetings

The Oyo State Government has dismissed claims by businessman Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi that the state has been absent from National Economic Council (NEC) meetings, insisting that Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal has consistently represented it.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the government said Governor Seyi Makinde had formally notified the vice-president, who chairs the council, of the arrangement for Lawal to represent the state at its meetings.

The government described Sanusi’s claim as misleading, arguing that NEC guidelines allow states to be represented by either their governors or deputy governors.

“Oyo State has never been unrepresented, and any suggestion to the contrary is incorrect,” the statement said.

It maintained that Makinde’s absence from some meetings did not mean the state had been excluded from the council’s deliberations or had failed to protect its interests.

According to the government, Lawal has attended NEC meetings consistently since 2025, contributing to discussions and representing the state, while the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning has provided technical support.

“Since 2025, the Deputy Governor has consistently attended NEC meetings, contributed to deliberations, and safeguarded Oyo State’s interests,” the statement added.

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The government said the combination of political representation and technical support ensured that the state’s positions were adequately presented and backed by relevant expertise.

It explained that NEC meetings provide a platform for collaboration between federal and state governments on economic policies, development programmes and investment opportunities.

The council’s deliberations, it said, cover key areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, human capital development, digital enterprise, food security and climate resilience.

The government added that participation in NEC was important to Oyo State’s development agenda, particularly in strengthening cooperation with the Federal Government and development partners and accessing national programs.

“The effectiveness of participation should therefore be assessed not merely by the physical presence of the governor at meetings, but by the quality of representation, the issues advanced, the opportunities identified, and the tangible benefits secured for the state,” the statement said.

It argued that assessing the state’s participation solely on whether Makinde personally attended every meeting overlooked established procedures and the role of technical officials in NEC engagements.

The government insisted that Oyo State had neither forfeited any benefits nor been sidelined in the council’s deliberations.

It also questioned the political context of Sanusi’s comments, alleging that his recent political positions might have influenced his criticism.

While acknowledging citizens’ right to express their views, the government said comments on governance should be based on verifiable facts and an understanding of established procedures.

“Criticism that ignores institutional procedures and verifiable records does not enlighten the public; it misleads them,” the government said.

Reaffirming its position, the government said Oyo State’s participation in NEC should be assessed based on its representation and the advancement of its development interests rather than the governor’s personal attendance.

“Oyo State’s record at the National Economic Council speaks for itself: present, active, and consistently advancing the interests of its people,” it said.

The government added that the Makinde administration would continue to reject claims it considered inconsistent with documented records, maintaining that the state’s voice had been heard and its interests protected at NEC meetings.