The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies to investigate the N5.5 billion reconstruction and renovation of the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan following its reported disqualification by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The APC made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, amid concerns over the stadium’s failure to secure approval to host Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) matches in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The party said the development raised questions about the quality of work carried out at the stadium and the funds reportedly committed to its reconstruction under the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Shooting Stars qualified for continental football for the first time in about 28 years but, according to the APC, have reportedly selected Abeokuta as their home venue for the CAF Confederation Cup campaign after the Lekan Salami Stadium was deemed unsuitable to host the matches.
The APC described the situation as disappointing, saying the return of Shooting Stars to continental competition should have provided an opportunity for Oyo State to showcase its sporting infrastructure to a wider African audience.
“Everyone in the state should ask Gov. Makinde to explain the circumstances surrounding the stadium’s failure to secure approval for the CAF Confederation Cup and provide details of the funds committed to its renovation and upgrading,” the party said.
It also urged the Oyo State Government to take urgent steps to ensure that the stadium meets international standards and is capable of hosting major continental competitions in the future.
The APC further linked the stadium controversy to what it described as a broader pattern of alleged substandard projects delivered by the Makinde administration at inflated costs.
“Just last week, a portion of a road project which was commissioned by the governor in Bodija market a few days earlier was washed away by erosion,” the party alleged.
The opposition party said the incident involving the road project, together with the stadium’s reported failure to secure CAF approval, warranted greater scrutiny of public infrastructure projects in the state.
The APC called on the EFCC and other relevant anti-corruption agencies to examine the award and execution of the Lekan Salami Stadium project and determine whether there were any financial or contractual irregularities.
The allegations were made by the Oyo State APC and do not, in themselves, establish wrongdoing by Governor Makinde or any other person involved in the project. The party did not provide documentary evidence in its statement to substantiate its allegation of fraud.
The controversy comes as Shooting Stars prepare to represent Nigeria in continental competition, with the club’s choice of an alternative home venue potentially denying Ibadan the opportunity to host CAF matches at the renovated stadium.
