NEWS
“Makinde Never Owed Salary Despite FAAC Changes” — APM Chieftain Adelore
An Allied Peoples Movement (APM) chieftain and public affairs analyst, Oluwaseun Adelore, has defended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over his administration’s record of salary payments, infrastructure development and investment attraction.
Adelore made the remarks during an interview on Morning Brief, where he argued that the performance of state governors should be assessed within the context of changing revenues, the value of the naira and the rising cost of imported goods.
SEE ALSO: Presidency Blasts Makinde Over UN Probe Call on Oyo School Abduction
According to him, increased allocations from the Federation Account alone do not provide a complete picture of what state governments can achieve because the purchasing power of the naira has also changed.
“Okay, maybe I should take the last question first. The only thing you have not attached to all these things that you have enumerated is the value of Naira,” Adelore said.
“If FAAC goes up—now they are talking about subsidy money running into trillions, and the governors are getting it—what do they have to show for it? What is the value of Naira now compared to the time when Buhari was in power? You have to take that into consideration.”
The APM chieftain also pointed to Nigeria’s dependence on imported goods and its implications for capital projects being executed by state governments.
“Now, we are an import-dependent nation. We import everything—toothpick, everything. So if you have any capital projects going on, you are going to spend dollars in getting most of these things,” he said.
‘Makinde Never Owed Salary’
Turning to Makinde’s administration, Adelore said the governor had maintained salary payments despite fluctuations in FAAC allocations and the state’s internally generated revenue.
“And we are talking about Engineer Seyi Makinde that, never for once, owed a salary. Either FAAC increased, FAAC decreased, the IGR has been…” he said.
Adelore subsequently questioned how many governors across the country could point to a similar record over an extended period.
“You know, people must come around and ask for the magic wand. How many governors in the whole of this country have such an intimidating record for almost eight years?” he asked.
Explaining why he considered the record significant, Adelore said Oyo State has a substantial civil service population and therefore regular payment of salaries is particularly important.
“No, it is intimidating because Oyo State can be tagged as a civil servant state. Largely—it’s not like Lagos, it’s not like Ogun State,” he said.
He argued that although paying workers is a basic responsibility of government, salary arrears have become an issue in parts of Nigeria.
“Because you are saying that because anybody that works must get a salary. Now it’s become a big deal in Nigeria because salaries have been owed for several months,” Adelore said.
“We make everything… we create a mountain out of a molehill. That’s the kind of country that we have.”
Adelore Lists Makinde’s Other Achievements
Beyond salary payments, Adelore highlighted infrastructure as another area where he said Makinde’s administration had made an impact.
He particularly mentioned road construction and the opening up of communities across Oyo State.
“Oh, the special thing: roads. He has built many roads, opened up roads—many roads linking towns to villages in Oyo State,” Adelore said.
He also claimed that several farm settlements had been revamped under the governor while companies from outside Nigeria had expanded their presence in the state.
“And almost all the farm settlements, you understand, have been revamped through him. He’s done a lot. A whole lot of companies from outside Nigeria have made an inroad into Oyo State,” he added.
Adelore maintained that salary and pension payments should be considered alongside infrastructure and other government activities when assessing the performance of a state administration.
“So on that trajectory, if we are talking about achievements of any governor, you understand? Now, you cannot have a civil service that is being owed salaries, you cannot have pensioners’ money not being paid, and you think you have everything doing,” he said.
“He achieved that, you understand? In addition to many infrastructures.”
Former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has reportedly died, according to sources said to be close to his family.
The sources confirmed the development on Monday, October 19, 2026, although details surrounding the circumstances of his death remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
“Uduaghan is no more; he is dead,” one of the sources reportedly said.
SEE ALSO: Document reveals Akpoti-Uduaghan demanded N10b damages from husband before marriage, firm reacts
The reported death comes months after claims that the former governor had died circulated on social media before being dismissed by his media aide, Henry Unini.
In June, reports of Uduaghan’s alleged death spread across Facebook and WhatsApp, prompting Unini to publicly debunk the claims and assure the public that the former governor was alive.
“I can tell you for a fact that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is alive,” Unini said at the time.
“Frankly, I don’t know where the writer got his information from. The death of someone is not something you take and write about casually,” he added.
Unini acknowledged at the time that Uduaghan had been experiencing health challenges but maintained that he was receiving medical attention.
“It is now common knowledge that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has been sick, but he is receiving proper medical care,” the media aide said.
He also stated that the former governor was recuperating, assuring the public that there was no immediate cause for concern.
“There is no cause for alarm whatsoever,” Unini said.
The media aide thanked friends, well-wishers and residents of Delta State who contacted the family to verify the former governor’s condition. He also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information.
“The rumour was uncalled for,” he said while addressing the earlier reports.
As of the time of filing this report, further details about the circumstances surrounding Uduaghan’s reported death had yet to emerge.
The Delta State Government has commenced a ₦5 billion grassroots empowerment programme targeting 100,000 small-scale business owners and other beneficiaries across the state’s 500 wards.
The initiative, announced on Monday, will see each beneficiary receive ₦50,000 to support small businesses, strengthen household finances and stimulate economic activities across the state.
SEE ALSO: Two Arrested as Delta Police Uncover Cache of Illegal Weapons
The Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr Olisa Ifeajika, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Asaba.
Ifeajika explained that the programme was designed to complement the state government’s investments in critical infrastructure with direct financial assistance to residents.
According to him, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori directed local government councillors to facilitate the distribution of the funds, with each of the 500 wards expected to reach at least 200 beneficiaries.
He added that the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to improving livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities for Deltans, in line with the people-centred objectives of the MORE Agenda.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Aliko Dangote Foundation for plans to acquire Initial Public Offering (IPO) shares of Dangote Refinery on behalf of eligible Nigerian tertiary institution students.
Alausa described the initiative as an innovative approach to promoting financial literacy, youth empowerment and wealth creation among young Nigerians.
According to a press release issued by the Federal Ministry of Education on Monday, October 19, 2026, the initiative is expected to benefit up to four million students aged 18 and above, with each eligible student expected to receive 10 IPO shares without requiring prior investment or share purchase.
The minister said the programme would expose students to capital markets, responsible investing and long-term financial planning, preparing them for greater economic participation and financial independence.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by connecting education with enterprise, human capital development and inclusive economic growth.
According to Alausa, the initiative reflects the importance of partnerships between the education sector and private organisations in equipping young Nigerians with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in the economy.
He said the Federal Ministry of Education remained committed to strengthening private-sector partnerships to improve educational quality, relevance, equity and efficiency while preparing learners for a changing economy.
While appreciating the foundation’s contribution to youth development, the minister clarified that the ministry’s commendation was based on the initiative’s educational and developmental value.
He stressed that the ministry’s position “does not constitute an endorsement of any particular investment decision.”
Alausa also encouraged other corporate organisations to support similar initiatives that promote financial awareness, economic productivity and entrepreneurship among young Nigerians.
He urged businesses to support NESRI and the Renewed Hope Agenda in building a financially informed and economically productive generation.
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