Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, says federal might will not influence the outcome of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Oyo state tourism summit held
at the University of Ibadan International Conference Centre (ICC), Makinde
expressed optimism that Nigerians would vote for leaders of their choice
regardless of political influence.
“I believe that this election cycle, federal might will not
work. It has worked in Ekiti state in both instances but this time around,
Nigerians will show politicians pepper,” he said.
“They will show us that they don’t want to be bystanders
anymore; they will participate, and I’m sure of what I’m saying.”
On governance in Oyo after his tenure, the governor said his
administration has created structures in the state that would ensure
continuity.
Makinde said although he would recommend a successor, the
people of Oyo would ultimately decide who becomes the next governor.
The governor, however, cautioned that electing a candidate
without the capacity to govern would have lasting consequences for the state.
“I tell people that I will recommend for Oyo state people,
but the decision will rest with the people of Oyo state,” he said.
“But if you make a mistake and bring someone who will not do
good work, it is a one-day event, but the impact will last four years.
“So, we must get it right. Leadership changes but systems,
they endure. So, our focus has been deliberate.”
There have been speculations that Makinde may back Bimbo
Adekanbi, a former commissioner for finance in the state, as his preferred
governorship candidate.
Adekanbi served in the administration of the late Abiola
Ajimobi under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
On Wednesday, Adebo Ogundoyin, speaker of the Oyo house of
assembly, said he led lawmakers in the state “to a strategic breakfast meeting”
with Adekanmbi, “the consensus gubernatorial candidate of our new party in the
State Allied Peoples Movement.”
Oyo is the only state currently governed by the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria. The party has been embroiled in an internal
leadership crisis, resulting in factions aligned with Makinde and Nyesom Wike,
minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Responding to the speculations, Makinde said he would
support any candidate who is loyal to Oyo and possesses the capacity to govern
effectively.
“People said ‘oh, so Seyi, you did not mentor anyone these
seven years you have been in government that can take over from you without the
taint of APC’? And I ask them that Morohunkola Thomas or Bimbo Adekanbi, are
they not from Oyo state? For us, if you’re from Oyo state, loyal to Oyo state,
and have capacity, we will tap you to support the development of Oyo state,” he
said.
“We are blind to part colouration but open to capacity that
can move Oyo state forward.”
Makinde said his administration is focused on ensuring
continuity in governance by building enduring systems that future
administrations can strengthen rather than replace.
He added that the goal is to lay a solid foundation that
would allow subsequent governments to build on existing structures instead of
starting afresh.
The governor said the state has moved beyond merely
identifying opportunities and is now concentrating on creating systems capable
of sustaining long-term development and growth.
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