The Oyo State Government has faulted businessman and political figure, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, over his claim that the state has been absent from National Economic Council (NEC) meetings, saying Governor Seyi Makinde formally notified the Vice President of a chang‏e in the state’s representation.

The government said Makinde had informed the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who chairs the NEC, that the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, would henceforth represent Oyo State at the council’s meetings.

It would be recalled that Dotun Sanusi had faulted Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s reported decision to stop attending meetings of the National Economic Council (NEC), warning that political differences must not undermine the state’s interests.

Sanusi said the council remained an important platform for economic cooperation and policy coordination between the Federal Government and state governments, stressing that Oyo State must continue to have an effective voice in national economic deliberations.

In a statement, he said the NEC was more than a gathering of political officeholders, describing it as an avenue through which states could articulate their economic interests and development priorities.

He said the key question was how the state would ensure effective representation at the council despite any political or administrative differences between Makinde and the Federal Government.

Sanusi noted that farmers needed opportunities, young people required employment, businesses needed an enabling environment, while communities deserved better infrastructure, healthcare, education and sustainable economic development.

According to him, these needs transcend political affiliations, personal disagreements and electoral considerations.

He therefore urged Makinde to clarify how Oyo State’s interests were being represented at NEC meetings and to reconsider the value of his personal participation in the constitutional forum.

Reacting in a statement, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, described Sanusi’s claim as unfounded, arguing that it ignored established procedures governing representation at the council.

Olanrewaju said NEC guidelines allowed states to be represented by either their governors or deputy governors, adding that the arrangement adopted by Oyo was consistent with established practice.

He said the deputy governor had consistently attended NEC meetings since 2025, while the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning provided technical support to the state’s participation.

According to the government, the arrangement ensures that Oyo State remains represented in discussions on national economic policies and development initiatives, irrespective of the governor’s personal attendance.

The statement said NEC meetings provide a platform for intergovernmental engagement, policy coordination and access to federal development initiatives and financing opportunities.

It added that deliberations at the council covered agriculture, infrastructure, human capital development, digital enterprise, food security and climate resilience, among other areas relevant to Oyo State’s development priorities.

The government argued that the effectiveness of a state’s participation should be assessed by the quality of its representation, the issues raised and the benefits secured, rather than whether the governor personally attends every meeting.

It maintained that Oyo State had neither forfeited any benefits nor been sidelined in NEC deliberations.

The government also questioned the political context of Sanusi’s comments, alleging that his recent political alignments could have influenced his criticism.

It said public commentary on governance should be based on verifiable facts and a proper understanding of institutional procedures.

“Oyo State’s interests must take precedence over political point-scoring,” the statement said, adding that the state’s representation at the council remained active and effective.