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 Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has maintained consistent representation at the council.
The government said the allegation was based on assumptions and a misunderstanding of the procedures governing state representation at NEC meetings.
It explained that Makinde had formally notified the Vice-President, who chairs the council, that Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal would represent Oyo State at subsequent meetings, an arrangement it said complied with established guidelines.
According to the government, NEC rules permit either a state governor or deputy governor to attend meetings on behalf of the state, adding that several states routinely adopt the same practice.
It maintained that the deputy governor had consistently attended NEC meetings since 2025, participated in deliberations and represented the state’s interests, while the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning provided technical support.
The government argued that assessing Oyo State’s participation solely on whether Makinde personally attended the meetings overlooked the purpose of the council and the importance of effective political and technical representation.
It said NEC provides a platform for intergovernmental engagement, policy coordination and access to federal development initiatives, including programmes relating to agriculture, infrastructure, human capital development, digital enterprise, food security and climate resilience.
For Oyo State, it added, participation in the council was important for strengthening cooperation with the Federal Government and development partners, identifying investment opportunities and securing development financing.
The government insisted that the state had neither forfeited any benefits nor been sidelined in national economic deliberations, maintaining that its interests had been protected through its representatives.
It also criticised Sanusi’s comments, suggesting that his recent political positions could have influenced his remarks. The government argued that public commentary on governance should be grounded in verifiable facts and established institutional procedures.
While acknowledging citizens’ right to express opinions, it said criticism that disregarded the rules governing NEC representation could mislead the public and distract from the state’s development priorities.
The government maintained that the relevant measures for assessing participation were whether the state was represented, whether its interests were advanced and what benefits accrued to its people.
It reaffirmed the Makinde administration’s commitment to protecting Oyo State’s interests at the National Economic Council, insisting that the state remained actively involved in the council’s deliberations.
