N5.5bn Adamasingba Stadium Returns to Spotlight as APC Questions Makinde Over APM Rally
N5.5bn Adamasingba Stadium Returns to Spotlight as APC Questions Makinde Over APM Rally
The controversy surrounding the renovation of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, has resurfaced following the decision to use the facility for a political rally organised by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has questioned Governor Seyi Makinde over the development, arguing that the political gathering has again brought attention to concerns surrounding the stadium and the public funds committed to its rehabilitation.
Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, said the party considered it inappropriate to deploy the stadium for a major political event at a time questions were being raised over its suitability for continental football.
The Makinde administration embarked on the remodelling of the Lekan Salami Stadium as one of its major infrastructure projects, with the cost widely reported at about N5.5 billion.
However, the facility has recently become a subject of political debate after Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) had to play its CAF Confederation Cup home fixture against Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta rather than its traditional Adamasingba ground.
The development has provided fresh ammunition for opposition figures demanding explanations about the renovation and whether the investment has delivered the expected standard of sporting infrastructure.
The latest controversy followed an APM gathering at the stadium involving party members and supporters mobilised from across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas.
According to Sadare, the APC believes the priority should be addressing questions surrounding the condition of the sporting facility rather than using it as a venue for political mobilisation.
He challenged the state government to explain the outcome of the rehabilitation project and respond to questions about value for money.
The APC spokesman also linked the stadium controversy to Shooting Stars’ continental campaign, questioning why the Ibadan club had to take its home fixture outside Oyo State.
The criticism comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Makinde now playing a prominent role in the APM while the APC seeks to strengthen its position in Oyo State.
The stadium has consequently become more than a sporting issue, emerging as another point of disagreement between the Makinde administration and the opposition over infrastructure spending, project delivery and accountability.
The APC further alleged that some markets were shut and traders, commercial transport operators and other residents were pressured to participate in the APM rally.
It also alleged that substantial public resources were deployed for the event. However, the party did not provide documentary evidence establishing the amount allegedly spent or proving that state funds financed the rally.
Beyond the political accusations, the Adamasingba debate is increasingly centred on whether the rehabilitation has produced value commensurate with the investment and what additional work may be required for the stadium to consistently satisfy requirements for major continental fixtures.
The Oyo State Government has previously defended its infrastructure programme, while political opponents have continued to scrutinise expenditure on projects including the stadium and the state’s streetlighting initiative.
With campaigns and political mobilisation intensifying ahead of 2027, the Lekan Salami Stadium controversy is likely to remain part of the wider debate over Makinde’s infrastructure record and management of public resources.
