”Infrastructure Must Not Be Reduced To Partisan Talking Points”: Engr. Open Salawu Knocks Works Minister, Umahi

…Joins Oyo Govt To Condemn Makinde’s Exclusion*

Engr. Muftau Open Salawu, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Deputy Governorship Candidate in Oyo State, has condemned the exclusion of Governor Seyi Makinde from the flag-off ceremony of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road reconstruction.

The Federal Government had on Monday flagged off the N297 billion reconstruction of the 56.5km Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road in Oyo State.

President Bola Tinubu was represented by *Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, at the event held in Idi Ayunre.

The President also approved the redesign of the 70-kilometre Ibadan–Abeokuta Road, with procurement already ongoing.

The exclusion sparked protests from the state government.

In a statement on Monday, Oyo Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the ceremony fell short of expectations due to desperate political undertone.

“The excuse that the invitation was not extended to Governor Makinde because he was on leave makes the case even more ridiculous, because there is a functional acting governor on the ground.

_“Governor Makinde is unperturbed and regrets that the event was reduced to a political jamboree. The course of 2027 is set, and no level of indecorum or desperation from whatever quarters will hold back the will of the people”, the statement read. 

Also condemning the exclusion, Engr. Open Salawu, in a statement obtained by MOUTHPIECE NGR on Tuesday, said infrastructure projects must not be politicized.

_“Infrastructure projects like the Ibadan-Ijebu road are to be funded by our collective resources. They must not be reduced to partisan talking points. Sadly, even those who should know better have feigned ignorance. In each moment, we are shaping the record of our time,”_ he said.

Other dignitaries at the flag-off included *Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, and Oba Rasheed Ladoja*.