Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has declared that competence and loyalty to the state, rather than personal allegiance to him, will determine who succeeds him in the 2027 governorship election.
Makinde made the statement on Sunday at the 12th ‘Omituntun’ Annual Ramadan Public Lecture held at the Ibadan North Local Government Motor Park, Agodi Gate, Ibadan.
The governor said his position was shaped by conversations with some of his colleagues who allegedly handed over power to individuals they considered loyal, only to be disappointed after they assumed office.
“I have been talking to quite a number of my colleagues, and they said the person they handed over power to got to office and started misbehaving,” Makinde said.
“I asked them how they chose the person, supported him, but he changed when he got to the office. The common thread has been that they installed someone whom they felt would be loyal to them.”
He stressed that Oyo State would not follow such a path.
“Today, I have made up my mind that whoever would emerge as my successor would be based on competence and loyalty to Oyo State, not to Seyi Makinde,” he said.
Makinde also warned against a return to political violence in the state, urging residents and political actors to place peace above partisan interests.
“Moving forward, we don’t want to return to the period of political violence, irrespective of party affiliations. So, please keep praying that whoever would become the next governor should be loyal to the state,” he added.
Highlighting the achievements of his administration, the governor said loyalty to the state had guided policy decisions and financial commitments. According to him, his government has paid over ₦25bn to offset outstanding gratuities inherited from previous administrations.
He disclosed that the monthly gratuity payment had been increased from ₦1bn to ₦3bn, with a commitment to ensure that no retiree would be owed by May 2027.
Makinde also listed the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport to international status as a major milestone. He expressed optimism that Hajj pilgrims would be airlifted from the facility by May 2026.
The governor appreciated the Muslim community for its support since he assumed office in 2019 and appealed for sustained prayers for his administration.
To commemorate the Ramadan lecture, Makinde donated seven buses to mosques across the state and presented a brand-new SUV to the guest lecturer, Sheikh Jamiu Ajadi Sanusi, popularly known as Ami Olohun.
In his lecture on contentment, Sanusi commended the administration’s developmental strides, cautioned against “mischievous people,” and urged residents to embrace contentment, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Also speaking at the event, a former governor of the state and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasheed Ladoja, described Ramadan as a season of perseverance, sacrifice and spiritual renewal.
