Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the campaign organisation of All Progressives Congress governorship candidate Sharafadeen Alli have exchanged accusations over the use of diesel-powered generators to operate streetlights across the state.
The dispute followed comments by Makinde questioning Alli’s experience as a practising lawyer. In response, the senator’s campaign organisation shifted attention to the governor’s engineering background and the sustainability and cost of the state’s streetlighting project.
The Alli campaign, through its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, questioned why an administration led by a governor who studied electrical engineering would rely on fuel-powered generators for street lighting.
The organisation alleged that billions of naira had been spent on the streetlight project and argued that the state should have pursued more sustainable alternatives, including solar-powered systems. It also questioned the continued use of diesel generators and raised concerns about the cost of operating them.
The campaign organisation further criticised the condition of some of the streetlights, alleging that load-shedding had affected their operation. It contrasted the project with solar-powered infrastructure introduced by the previous administration.
The criticism was rejected by Makinde’s media aide, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, who defended the decision to use generators.
Olanrewaju said the generators became necessary because of unreliable electricity from the national grid, arguing that the state needed to keep major roads and public spaces illuminated despite challenges with electricity supply.
He said the state government would not apologise for maintaining street lighting and added that the administration was pursuing alternative energy solutions.
According to the governor’s aide, Oyo State has constructed a 5MW solar plant which is being upgraded to 12MW as part of efforts to develop more reliable and independent energy sources.
The disagreement also extends beyond street lighting, with Alli’s campaign organisation questioning the renovation of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan and its ability to meet requirements for hosting continental football matches.
The governor’s media office defended the renovation, saying the facility had hosted international football fixtures and that further upgrades were being undertaken to meet evolving requirements.
The exchange comes ahead of the 2027 Oyo State governorship election and reflects the increasingly political nature of debates surrounding government projects, public spending and infrastructure delivery in the state.
For residents, the argument over diesel-powered streetlights also raises wider questions about the cost and sustainability of public lighting, particularly as governments across Nigeria seek alternatives to expensive diesel and petrol-powered electricity generation.
While the opposition camp has focused on the cost and environmental implications of running streetlights with generators, the state government has emphasised the reliability problems associated with the national grid and its efforts to develop alternative power sources.
The disagreement is therefore likely to remain part of the broader debate over infrastructure, energy costs and public spending in Oyo State as political activities ahead of the next governorship election gather momentum.
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