The Good Governance Advocates (GGA) has dismissed recent criticisms trailing the acquisition of some lands within the Ibadan metropolis for housing estate development by the Governor Seyi Makinde–led administration.
The group’s Coordinator, Deacon Ademola Alabi (JP), stated this in a statement made available to journalists, saying that residents of Oyo State are satisfied with the housing development initiatives and welfare programmes for civil servants being implemented by the Makinde administration.
Alabi, a former Publicity Secretary of the Central Council for Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) described the criticisms as misleading and politically motivated, noting that opposition elements failed to fault the housing projects themselves but instead focused on the government’s use of land for public purposes.
According to him, Governor Makinde acted strictly within the provisions of the law, citing Section 28(1) of the Land Use Act, which empowers a governor to revoke rights of occupancy for overriding public interest, including housing development, road construction, schools and hospitals.
“It is laughable that an elected official is being criticised for exercising constitutionally backed powers to fulfil promises made to the electorate,” Alabi said.
He recalled that Governor Makinde, during the 2019 and 2023 election campaigns, pledged to prioritise housing development as part of efforts to reduce the state’s housing deficit and make accommodation affordable for residents, particularly civil servants.
Alabi noted that the governor’s housing manifesto included the creation of new town housing schemes in Ibadan and the simplification of processes for obtaining Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) within 60 days.
“Seven years into his administration, Governor Makinde has delivered on these promises through the construction of hundreds of housing units for low-income earners in Ibadan, largely executed through public-private partnerships,” he stated.
He added that the approach has enabled the government to address one of the major challenges facing civil servants without placing undue pressure on the state’s finances.
Providing data to justify the need for affordable housing, Alabi said about 17 per cent of Oyo State’s population falls within the workforce, while over 40 per cent of households spend between one and 30 per cent of their income on housing, which is considered normal affordability.
He further revealed that 45 per cent of households spend between 30 and 50 per cent of their income on rent, indicating tolerable affordability, while 13 per cent spend more than half of their income on housing.
“With these statistics, any government that genuinely cares about the welfare and mental well-being of its citizens will prioritise low-cost housing,” he said.
Alabi maintained that the administration’s housing policy reflects Governor Makinde’s longstanding reputation for compassion and welfarism, adding that the spread of housing schemes across the state was not surprising.
He said GGA would continue to support the governor’s housing development drive, urging critics to place public interest above politics.
Deacon Ademola Alabi is the Coordinator of Good Governance Advocate, a community leader and a former Publicity Secretary of the Central Council for Ibadan Indigenes (CCII)
