The Deputy Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Olasunkanmi Samson Babalola, has defended the legislature’s working relationship with Governor Seyi Makinde, saying members are a “rubber stamp” for sustainable development in the state.
Babalola, who represents Egbeda Constituency, made the remarks on Tuesday during the governor’s presentation of the 2027 appropriation bill to the House.
The lawmaker described Makinde as a leader whose competence, character and commitment to governance had translated into prosperity for the people of Oyo State.
According to him, while others had governed the state before Makinde, their leadership did not translate into prosperity for residents. He said the governor’s reputation and conduct had shaped public perception of his administration, adding that he had moved the people “from poverty to prosperity.”
Babalola said Makinde’s nearly eight years in office had been guided by wisdom and had demonstrated that there is dignity in honest work.
Addressing criticism that the Assembly merely endorses the executive’s decisions, the Deputy Majority Leader said the lawmakers’ support for the governor reflected their commitment to development.
He recalled that Makinde had outlined a road map for sustainable development in 2019, saying projects across different constituencies provided reasons for lawmakers to support his administration.
Citing examples, Babalola said his Egbeda Constituency hosts the Ladoke Akintola International Airport. He also pointed to the governor’s intervention on the Olodo bridge, which he described as a long-standing concern for residents.
He further referenced ongoing road construction in Eruwa, the hometown of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Edward Ogundoyin.
Highlighting movement between different parts of the state, Babalola said Hon. Dele Adeola, whom he identified as representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency, travels daily from Iseyin to Ibadan.
He added that the Majority Leader, Hon. Onaolapo Sanjo Adedoyin, who hails from Ogbomoso, also travels between Ibadan, Iseyin and Ogbomoso.
According to Babalola, the Makinde administration had constructed 900 kilometres of roads alongside other projects in the last seven years.
He questioned why critics expected lawmakers to fight a governor delivering such interventions, asking whether those promoting confrontation were partners in progress or “partners in otherwise.”
The Deputy Majority Leader also credited the administration with employing 15,800 people into the state’s service within seven years, describing the figure as the highest in Oyo State’s history.
He said the administration’s decisions had been driven by data, analysis and statistics.
On legislative independence, Babalola said Makinde had recognised the House as an autonomous arm of government and given lawmakers a free hand to carry out their responsibilities.
He added that the governor had never probed members over their activities.
Speaking on the Assembly’s role in the budget process, Babalola said the legislature had worked with the executive over the last three to four years, including on the 2026 budget, to maintain a 60:40 allocation ratio for capital and recurrent expenditure respectively.
He explained that prioritising capital expenditure was intended to ensure that residents, particularly those at the grassroots, felt the impact of government spending.
According to him, House committees had also redirected billions of naira from recurrent provisions to capital projects during budget scrutiny to align expenditure with the administration’s development priorities.
Babalola said the presentation of Makinde’s final budget as governor provided an opportunity to reflect on the wider legacy of his administration.
He noted that history would remember more than the figures in the appropriation bill, pointing to the institutions strengthened, infrastructure delivered, opportunities created and lives impacted under the governor’s leadership.
The lawmaker added that the responsibility of leadership extends beyond occupying public office to the legacy left behind and the generations inspired.
“Leadership is a responsibility, integrity is a virtue and excellence is a standard,” he said.
