The claim by Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi that Oyo State has been absent from National Economic Council (NEC) meetings is based on assumptions rather than facts and knowledge. It ignores the documented procedures that govern state representation at the NEC. Oyo State has never been unrepresented, and any suggestion to the contrary is incorrect.
Governor Seyi Makinde has already explained that he formally notified the Vice President, who chairs the NEC, that the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, would henceforth represent the state at Council meetings. This arrangement ensures continuity, compliance, and full participation. NEC guidelines explicitly allow states to be represented by either the Governor or the Deputy Governor, and many states routinely adopt this practice. Chief Sanusi’s assertion that Oyo State has been missing from NEC deliberations simply because the Governor did not personally attend every meeting is therefore baseless.
The benefits of Oyo State’s participation in NEC go far beyond physical attendance at meetings. NEC provides a strategic platform for intergovernmental engagement, policy coordination, access to federal development initiatives, and the identification of opportunities for investment and development financing. Its deliberations cover critical areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, human capital development, digital enterprise, food security, and climate resilience.
For a state such as Oyo, these engagements are essential for advancing its development priorities, strengthening collaboration with the Federal Government and development partners, and positioning the state to benefit from relevant national programmes. The effectiveness of participation should therefore be assessed not merely by the physical presence of the Governor at meetings, but by the quality of representation, the issues advanced, the opportunities identified, and the tangible benefits secured for the state.
Since 2025, the Deputy Governor has consistently attended NEC meetings, contributed to deliberations, and safeguarded Oyo State’s interests. In addition, the Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning participates as part of the statutory technical support to the state. This combination of political and technical representation guarantees that Oyo State’s voice is heard and its submissions are backed by the required expertise. Any claim to the contrary disregards the structure and purpose of the NEC.
It is evident that Chief Sanusi either does not fully understand NEC operational procedures or has chosen to ignore established practice. For clarity, NEC meetings may be attended by either the Governor or the Deputy Governor, and the effectiveness of a state’s participation is determined by the quality of its representation, not by who occupies the seat.
Judging Oyo State’s participation solely by whether the Governor personally attends NEC meetings is misleading. Such a narrow view overlooks established practice, the technical processes that underpin NEC engagements, and the tangible benefits Oyo State continues to secure through its active involvement. The state has not missed any opportunity, forfeited any benefit, or been sidelined in any way.
It is also important to place Chief Sanusi’s comments in proper context. Although a businessman, he has recently taken overt political positions, including openly supporting a candidate. His remarks are therefore not altruistic and cannot be separated from his political leanings. While citizens are free to express opinions, those opinions must be grounded in facts, especially when they concern matters of governance. Criticism that ignores institutional procedures and verifiable records does not enlighten the public; it misleads them.
Oyo State’s interests must take precedence over political point scoring. The relevant questions are straightforward: Is the state represented? Are its interests being advanced? What benefits accrue to its people? On all counts, Oyo State has fulfilled its obligations and secured its entitlements. Attempts to distort this reality for political effect do a disservice to the public and undermine informed discourse.
Oyo State’s record at the National Economic Council speaks for itself: present, active, and consistently advancing the interests of its people. No amount of political spin or misinformed commentary can erase that reality. The Makinde administration will not allow narratives built on conjecture to overshadow verifiable facts or undermine the work being done on behalf of the state. Oyo State has been fully represented, its voice has been heard, and its interests have been protected at every NEC meeting. That is the truth, and it stands firm regardless of who chooses to ignore it.
