The Special Adviser on Media to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, has criticised the campaign organisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, over its criticism of the governor’s handling of Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Olanrewaju described the allegations against Makinde as misplaced, arguing that the economic hardship confronting Nigerians is largely driven by national economic policies rather than failures of individual state governments.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 1, 2026, the governor’s aide said the depreciation of the naira, removal of fuel subsidy and rising inflation had significantly affected the purchasing power of citizens across the country.
He noted that the naira, which traded at about ₦450 to ₦470 per dollar at the official exchange window in 2023, had weakened to between ₦1,400 and ₦1,600, contributing to increased costs of food, healthcare, transportation and production.
Olanrewaju also linked the rising cost of living to the removal of petrol subsidy in 2023, which he said triggered higher transportation expenses, increased food prices and worsening poverty levels.
He further argued that the increase in allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) should not be interpreted as evidence of improved economic conditions, noting that inflation and currency depreciation had significantly reduced the purchasing power of government revenues.
According to him, higher allocations in nominal terms do not necessarily translate into greater economic prosperity, as the rising cost of goods and services has diminished the real value of funds available to state governments.
The governor’s aide also faulted the APC candidate’s campaign organisation for accusing Makinde of opposing local government autonomy.
He maintained that the issue involves constitutional and legal considerations, adding that the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on local government financial autonomy remains a responsibility of the Federal Government.
Olanrewaju questioned why the Oyo State governor should be held responsible for the alleged failure to implement the judgment, while also arguing that the constitutional provisions relating to the State Joint Local Government Account remain relevant to the debate.
He insisted that Nigeria’s economic difficulties were national in scope and could not be attributed solely to the administration of any state governor.
The statement came amid an exchange of political criticisms between the Makinde administration and the campaign organisation of Senator Alli over economic management and governance in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
 governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, over its criticism of the governor’s handling of Nigeria’s economic challenges.){kind=link}