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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has criticised the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over what it called “alleged shameless attempt to mislead the public” on the decision of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to cede the ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso to Oyo State.
The NUC had on Friday announced that the joint ownership of the 30 year-old university had ceased, following a mutual agreement between the two states who were hitherto responsible for its funding and management.
But a statement issued over the weekend by the Assistant Publicity Secretary of Oyo APC, Prince Ayobami Adejumo, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, described the NUC’s proclamation as a welcome development even as the party cautioned that “it ought not to be celebrated by any reasonable person, group or government in view of its unpleasant implications which could be understood by only discerning minds.”
He said: “We received the news from the NUC with mixed feelings; on one hand, it could address the issues of buck passing and under funding of the great academic institution but on the other hand, the development underscore the fact that a lot still has to be done to entrench unity, love and brotherliness among the people of Oyo and Osun States who have just demonstrated lack of trust and cooperation amongst themselves over this LAUTECH issue.
“As a matter of fact, Gov. Makinde or Oyo PDP did nothing to actualise the sole ownership desire as what happened last Friday was the completion of a process started by a former governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala whose people in Ogbomoso pressurised to pursue the goal for obvious reasons. Late Senator Abiola Ajimobi who governed the state between 2011 and 2019 could not have toed the same line because he probably felt it was reasonable for LAUTECH to remain a joint heritage of Oyo and Osun States
“Meanwhile, it is a height of insincerity and immorality for Gov. Makinde and his lackeys to embark on any celebration over the termination of joint ownership of LAUTECH between the two brother states during his own time. And if anything, Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State deserves kudos for being magnanimous enough to let go since there are no indication that Oyo State Government paid any compensation for taking what is seemingly a greater share from the facilities.
“A snap check with NUC would reveal that Makinde did nothing concrete or special to claim the university from Osun as what essentially worked in favour of the Pacesetter state was the location of the University on its soil in Ogbomoso while Osun also claimed the Teaching Hospital located in its own state capital – Osogbo. We, therefore, challenge Gov. Makinde to make public his strategy deployed to defeat Osun state in the last 18 months as he now claims through his bootlickers.
“It is worthy of note that Gov. Makinde would only make a hero if he could replicate the magic which produced LAUTECH in its early days or the one that manifested the first Technical University in Nigeria. And as the whole world waits patiently for the aftermath of the dramatic cutting of ties between two brother states, we urge Oyo State Government to take full advantage of whatever opportunity available to them and ensure that the University does not suffer on account of fake promises which is the pastime of the current PDP administration.”