By Ayodele Oni
Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, the Okanlomo Oodua and Gbonka Olubadan of Ibadanland, has urged Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to reconsider his decision to boycott meetings of the National Economic Council (NEC).
The Ibadan Chief advised Governor Makinde to prioritise the interests of Oyo State by sustaining engagement with the Federal Government.
The plea followed the announcement by Governor Makinde, that he would no longer attend the NEC meetings describing them as waste of time,
Sanusi, who expressed his views on the development, pointed out that leadership at the highest level of government demanded patience, wisdom, sacrifice and the ability to place the collective interests of the people above personal or political disagreements.
He said he has followed with considerable interest the reported remarks by Governor Makinde concerning his decision to discontinue attending NEC meetings, adding that the development deserved thoughtful reflection rather than political confrontation.
As someone deeply committed to the progress, prosperity and dignity of Oyo State, Sanusi stated that he believed the development required careful consideration, rather than political confrontation.
The National Economic Council is a constitutionally established institution designed to facilitate economic cooperation, policy coordination and constructive engagement between the Federal Government and the states.
He said the council was much more than a meeting of political office-holders, noting that it provided an important platform through which the economic interests and developmental aspirations of the people could be articulated.
Sanusi acknowledged that Governor Makinde was entitled to his convictions and had every right to express dissatisfaction with any process he considered ineffective or inconsistent with the principles of good governance.
However, he maintained that leadership also required the maturity to remain engaged with institutions, even when their decisions did not reflect one’s preferred positions.
According to him, the fundamental question should not be whether Makinde agreed or disagreed with the Federal Government, but whether adequate arrangements have been made to ensure that Oyo State continued to enjoy effective representation in national economic deliberations.
“Whatever the political or administrative differences between the Governor and the Federal Government, what institutional arrangements have been made to ensure that Oyo State continues to enjoy effective representation in national economic deliberations?”
Highlighting the needs of the people, Sanusi highlighted that farmers required opportunities, young people needed employment, businesses needed an enabling environment, while communities deserved infrastructure, improved healthcare, quality education and sustainable economic development.
He stressed that these aspirations transcended political affiliations, personal differences and electoral considerations.
According to him, leaders must appreciate that institutions of government are bigger than the individuals who temporarily occupy public offices.
He added that disagreement was an essential feature of democracy, while constructive engagement was equally important to responsible governance.
Sanusi therefore respectfully encouraged Makinde to clarify how the interests of Oyo State were being represented at the National Economic Council and to consider the value of sustained personal participation in what he described as an important constitutional forum.
He explained that his appeal was not a call for political submission, nor was it an attempt to diminish the Governor’s constitutional authority.
Rather, he described it as a sincere appeal for institutional cooperation, political maturity and the preservation of Oyo State’s long-term interests.
Sanusi further stressed that political differences should never become barriers to the economic opportunities available to the people.
He said history remembered leaders not merely for the battles they fought, but for the bridges they built, the institutions they strengthened and the opportunities they secured for generations yet unborn.
“The dignity of leadership lies not in avoiding difficult conversations, but in having the courage and wisdom to remain at the table in the service of the people,” he said.
He prayed that Almighty God would continue to guide all those entrusted with the responsibility of governing Oyo State and Nigeria.
“Oyo State must always come first. Nigeria must remain our common responsibility,” Sanusi stated.
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