The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, due process and the protection of public assets amid controversy over the Cheshire Home land in Eleyele, Ibadan.
The government maintained that every decision concerning government land and property under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration was guided by the public interest, legal procedures and the developmental needs of the state.
In a statement responding to allegations by the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO), the administration dismissed claims surrounding the Cheshire Home land as speculative and politically motivated.
The statement, which criticised SSACO’s position, accused the organisation of promoting unverified allegations capable of creating unnecessary anxiety among residents.
It insisted that the state government had neither taken any secret decision nor acted outside the law regarding public assets.
The administration also defended its record in public asset management, citing investments in schools, hospitals, road networks, security infrastructure and other public facilities since Makinde assumed office in 2019.
According to the statement, the government remains focused on sustainable development, economic expansion and improved service delivery rather than engaging in what it described as politically motivated controversies.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Makinde fully understands that public assets belong to the people of Oyo State,” the statement said.
It added that the governor had never treated public assets as personal possessions, as allegedly insinuated by the campaign organisation.
The statement further argued that public discussions about government property should be based on verifiable facts and evidence rather than assumptions or political rhetoric.
While acknowledging the importance of constructive criticism in a democratic society, the administration urged political organisations to exercise responsibility and ensure that their claims were supported by facts.
“The people of Oyo State deserve informed public discourse, not speculation disguised as public advocacy,” the statement added.
The government reiterated its determination to pursue its development agenda, insisting that controversies surrounding public assets would not distract it from its responsibilities to the people.
The response followed criticisms by SSACO concerning the Cheshire Home land in Eleyele, with the Makinde administration maintaining that decisions involving public property must serve the collective interest of Oyo State residents.
