Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the state, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, have exchanged criticisms over the state's streetlight project and their respective professional backgrounds.
The latest disagreement followed comments by Governor Makinde questioning Senator Alli's experience as a lawyer.
Reacting to the governor's remarks, the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation criticised the use of diesel-powered generators to operate streetlights across parts of Oyo State.
The campaign organisation, through its Head of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, questioned why a governor with an electrical engineering background would rely on diesel-powered generators for street lighting.
It alleged that the streetlight project had involved substantial public expenditure and described the continued use of generators as costly and environmentally unfriendly.
The campaign organisation also questioned the sustainability of the streetlight system, arguing that solar-powered and other energy-efficient alternatives could provide a more sustainable solution.
In a separate criticism, the organisation raised concerns about the renovation of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan, alleging that the facility had failed to secure approval to host a continental fixture involving Shooting Stars Sports Club.
The organisation also defended Senator Alli's legal career, saying he had practised law for several years before entering public service.
Responding to the criticism, the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, defended the use of generators to power the streetlights.
Olanrewaju said the generators became necessary because of what he described as unreliable electricity supply from the national grid.
He said the state government would not apologise for keeping major parts of Oyo State illuminated and secure, adding that alternative energy solutions were also being pursued.
According to the governor's aide, the state has constructed a five-megawatt solar power plant, which is being upgraded to 12 megawatts.
Olanrewaju also defended the renovation of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, saying the facility had hosted international football matches and that further upgrades were being undertaken to meet evolving international standards.
The exchange comes as political activities intensify in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Both sides have continued to defend their respective positions, with the APC campaign organisation focusing on the cost and sustainability of the streetlight project, while the governor's media team says the use of generators is linked to unreliable national grid supply and that the government is investing in alternative energy.
Filed under
#Seyi Makinde
#Sharafadeen Alli
#Oyo State
#APC
#Streetlights
#Diesel Generators
#2027 Elections
#Oyo Politics
#Lekan Salami Stadium
#Nigeria Politics
#Glow 99.1 FM Akure
Your reaction
Story guide
Understand this story
Summary
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and APC governorship candidate Senator Sharafadeen Alli have exchanged criticisms over the use of diesel-powered generators for streetlights and other infrastructure projects in the state. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the state, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, have exchanged criticisms over the state's streetlight project and their...
Key takeaways
- Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and APC governorship candidate Senator Sharafadeen Alli have exchanged criticisms over the use of diesel-powered generators for streetlights and other infrastructure projects in the state.
- Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the state, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, have exchanged criticisms over the state's streetlight project and their respective professional backgrounds.The latest disagreement followed comments by Governor Makinde questioning Senator Alli's experience as a lawyer.Reacting to the governor's remarks, the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation criticised the use of diesel-powered generators to operate streetlights across parts of Oyo State.The campaign organisation, through its Head of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, questioned why a governor with an electrical engineering background would rely on diesel-powered generators for street lighting.It alleged that the streetlight project had involved substantial public expenditure and described the continued use of generators as costly and environmentally unfriendly.The campaign organisation also questioned the sustainability of the streetlight system, arguing that solar-powered and other energy-efficient alternatives could provide a more sustainable solution.In a separate criticism, the organisation raised concerns about the renovation of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan, alleging that the facility had failed to secure approval to host a continental fixture involving Shooting Stars Sports Club.The organisation also defended Senator Alli's legal career, saying he had practised law for several years before entering public service.Responding to the criticism, the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, defended the use of generators to power the streetlights.Olanrewaju said the generators became necessary because of what he described as unreliable electricity supply from the national grid.He said the state government would not apologise for keeping major parts of Oyo State illuminated and secure, adding that alternative energy solutions were also being pursued.According to the governor's aide, the state has constructed a five-megawatt solar power plant, which is being upgraded to 12 megawatts.Olanrewaju also defended the renovation of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, saying the facility had hosted international football matches and that further upgrades were being undertaken to meet evolving international standards.The exchange comes as political activities intensify in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.Both sides have continued to defend their respective positions, with the APC campaign organisation focusing on the cost and sustainability of the streetlight project, while the governor's media team says the use of generators is linked to unreliable national grid supply and that the government is investing in alternative energy.
- This story is filed under Politics on Glow 99.1 FM.
Article FAQ
What is this story about?
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and APC governorship candidate Senator Sharafadeen Alli have exchanged criticisms over the use of diesel-powered generators for streetlights and other infrastructure projects in the state. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the state, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, have exchanged criticisms over the state's streetlight project and their...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with OYEBODE OLUWAFEMI EMMANUEL listed as author.
When was it published?
September 20, 2026
