Makinde Insists He Has Nothing to Hide as the Oyo governor defends his legal challenge over the EFCC’s request for state financial records
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has insisted that neither he nor his administration has anything to conceal regarding the state’s finances, rejecting claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that his government is attempting to avoid scrutiny by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Also read:Â Turaki Confident PDP Will Contest All 2027 Elections
Makinde’s response came on Thursday after the Oyo State chapter of the APC criticised a Federal High Court judgment that ruled the EFCC lacks the authority to investigate the finances of the current state administration.
Makinde response followed remarks by the Oyo APC, whose Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Sadare, said the anti-graft agency would carry out its duties “at the appropriate time” despite the court’s ruling.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde said the state government’s decision to seek judicial clarification was based on constitutional rights and should not be interpreted as an effort to shield the administration from investigation.
“The decision of the Oyo State Government to approach the Federal High Court for clarification on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) demand for copies of all contracts and details of transactions with contractors between 2021 and 2025 is not an attempt to forestall investigation because neither the state government nor Governor Seyi Makinde has anything to hide,” the statement said.
Makinde also rejected the APC’s interpretation of the legal action, describing it as inaccurate and unsupported by law.
“The APC’s claim that Governor Makinde’s decision to seek judicial intervention amounts to avoiding investigation is both misleading and legally unfounded. Resorting to the courts is not an admission of guilt but a constitutional right guaranteed under Nigerian law,” the statement added.
The dispute stems from a ruling delivered by a Federal High Court in Ibadan on Wednesday, which held that the EFCC does not have the power to investigate the finances of the current Oyo State administration.
The judgment followed the state government’s legal challenge to the EFCC’s request for copies of contracts and records of transactions with contractors covering the period between 2021 and 2025.
The APC, however, criticised the ruling and maintained that the EFCC would still perform its statutory responsibilities when appropriate, signalling that the political disagreement over the judgment is likely to continue.
Also read:Â Turaki Confident PDP Will Contest All 2027 Elections
The exchange adds to the long-running political rivalry between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State and the opposition APC, with governance, accountability and anti-corruption issues remaining central themes ahead of the build-up to the 2027 general elections.
