Streetlights Spark Fresh War Between Makinde, Alli in Oyo

Streetlights Spark Fresh War Between Makinde, Alli in Oyo

By Chibuzor Alli

The Makinde Alli clash over streetlights has taken a fresh turn in Oyo State, with the governor’s administration and the campaign organisation of All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, trading accusations over the use of diesel-powered generators.

The dispute centres on streetlights installed across the state and the government’s decision to use generators to power them amid concerns over electricity supply.

The Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation criticised the arrangement, questioning the sustainability of using diesel-powered generators and also raising concerns about Governor Seyi Makinde’s engineering background.

The criticism came after Makinde described Alli on Friday as a lawyer who had never entered the courtroom.

Through its Head of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, the Alli campaign organisation responded by questioning the governor’s handling of the streetlighting project.

Oladele said, “It is a tragic irony that Governor Makinde, who studied electrical engineering, cannot devise a sustainable electricity solution for the streetlights installed with about N400bn of state funds by his government

“Instead, the administration continues to power them with fuel-guzzling generators—an outdated, expensive and environmentally harmful arrangement funded from the public purse.

“At a time when modern cities are embracing solar-powered and energy-efficient streetlighting systems, Oyo State remains trapped in the age of diesel generators under the supervision of an electrical engineer.”

“This raises serious questions about the governor’s competence, priorities and commitment to prudent management of taxpayers’ money. Should we judge Governor Makinde’s claim as an electrical engineer by his streetlight project, the answer is obvious to all.”

Makinde Alli dispute over streetlights

Reacting to the criticism, the Special Adviser to Makinde on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, defended the use of generators to power streetlights across the state.

Olanrewaju said the administration would not apologise for keeping the state illuminated and secure.

He explained that generators were being used because of unreliable electricity supply from the national grid, adding that the state government was pursuing alternative energy sources.

In a statement titled, “Alli’s desperation cannot dim Oyo State’s progress,” Olanrewaju said the criticism showed that the opposition had resorted to what he described as “desperation, distortion, and a frantic struggle for relevance.”

He said, “On the matter of streetlights, the Makinde administration will never apologise for keeping Oyo State illuminated and secure.

“The only reason generators are being used is because the APC-led Federal Government, Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s party, has failed spectacularly to deliver the regular electricity supply it promised Nigerians.

“If the national grid were reliable, there would be absolutely no need for diesel-powered generators.”

Oyo streetlights and alternative power

Olanrewaju urged Alli to direct his concerns about electricity supply to the Federal Government, saying the state was pursuing alternative solutions to its power challenges.

He said the state government had built a 5MW solar plant, which he said was being upgraded to 12MW.

The Makinde Alli dispute has therefore shifted attention to the state’s streetlighting system, with the two camps presenting different explanations for the continued use of diesel-powered generators.