Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has issued a strong message ahead of the 2027 governorship race, declaring that his successor must be loyal to Oyo State — not to him.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 12th Omituntun Annual Ramadan Public Lecture in Ibadan, the governor warned against repeating political mistakes that have crippled governance in several states.
Makinde said many leaders across Nigeria installed successors based on personal loyalty, only to watch those choices backfire after power changed hands.
He stressed that Oyo State would take a different path.
According to him, competence, integrity, and total commitment to public service will determine who eventually takes over the reins of power in 2027.
The governor urged political stakeholders and residents to prioritise peace, unity, and stability, cautioning that political competition must never descend into violence.
He explained that loyalty to the state had guided his administration’s decisions, pointing to the clearance of over ₦25 billion in inherited pension and gratuity arrears.
Makinde added that monthly gratuity payments had been raised from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion, assuring retirees that all outstanding entitlements would be settled before May 2027.
Highlighting infrastructure progress, the governor said the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport was nearing completion for international operations, expressing optimism that international flights, including Hajj operations, would commence by May 2026.
Makinde also thanked the Muslim community for their consistent prayers and support since he assumed office in 2019, calling for sustained spiritual backing for continued development.
To mark the event, the governor donated seven buses to mosques across Oyo State and presented a brand-new SUV to the guest lecturer, Sheikh Jamiu Ajadi Sanusi.
In his sermon, Sheikh Sanusi urged Nigerians to embrace contentment, peaceful coexistence, and moral discipline, warning against the influence of agents of division.
Former governor and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasheed Ladoja, also called on residents to use the Ramadan season to promote tolerance, patience, and unity.
Be the first to comment