My Successor Will Emerge Based On Loyalty To Oyo, Not Me — Governor Makinde

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said that his successor in the 2027 governorship election will be loyal to the state.

He made this statement at the 12th Omituntun Annual Ramadan Public Lecture held at the Ibadan North Local Government Motor Park in Agodi Gate, Ibadan.

Makinde explained that some of his fellow governors had complained that the people they handed over power to later disappointed them.

According to him, many of those leaders chose successors mainly because they believed the individuals would remain loyal to them personally.

He said he has decided not to follow that path. Instead, he stressed that whoever becomes the next Oyo governor must be capable and loyal to the state itself, not to him as an individual.

“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. 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. 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.

“But 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,” the governor said.

Makinde said his administration’s achievements were possible because of its dedication to the people of Oyo.

The governor revealed that his government has paid more than ₦25 billion to settle unpaid gratuities left behind by previous administrations.

He added that monthly payments for gratuities have been increased from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion, with a plan to clear all outstanding payments by May 2027.

Among other projects, he revealed that the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport to international status.

He expressed hope that by May 2026, Muslim pilgrims traveling for Hajj would depart directly from the airport.

Makinde thanked the Muslim community for its support since he became governor in 2019 and asked for continued prayers for his government.

During the event, he donated seven buses to different mosques across the state and presented a new SUV to the guest lecturer, Sheikh Jamiu Ajadi Sanusi, also known as Ami Olohun.

In his lecture, Sheikh Sanusi spoke about the importance of contentment.

He commended the state government’s development efforts, warned people to be careful of troublemakers, and encouraged peaceful living.

Also present at the event was former governor and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasheed Ladoja, who described Ramadan as a season for patience and tolerance.

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