Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has declared that competence and loyalty to the people of Oyo State will determine who succeeds him in 2027.
Makinde made the statement at the 12th Omituntun Annual Ramadan Public Lecture held at the Ibadan North Local Government Motor Park, Agodi Gate, Ibadan.
He explained that his loyalty to Oyo State had enabled him to record significant achievements over nearly seven years in office, including the payment of over N25 billion to clear outstanding gratuity arrears owed by previous administrations.
According to him, his government increased the monthly gratuity payout from N1 billion to N3 billion to ensure that no retiree is owed by the end of May 2027.
Makinde also cited the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport to international status as a major milestone, noting that preparations were underway to airlift Hajj pilgrims from the facility in May 2026.
Reflecting on leadership succession, the governor said some of his colleagues had installed successors based on personal loyalty, only to be disappointed later.
“The common thread has been that they installed someone they felt would be loyal to them,” he said.
“Whoever emerges as my successor will be based on competence and loyalty to Oyo State, not to Seyi Makinde.”
He urged residents to continue praying for peaceful leadership transition and warned against a return to political violence irrespective of party affiliation.
The governor announced the donation of seven buses to selected mosques across the state’s geopolitical zones to support Islamic activities and mark the 12th edition of the Ramadan lecture.
He also presented a brand new SUV to the guest lecturer, Fadilat Sheikh Jamiu Ajadi Sanusi (Ami Olohun), in appreciation of his lecture titled “Contentment.”
In his lecture, Sheikh Sanusi commended the governor’s developmental strides and urged residents to embrace contentment and religious tolerance.
Former Governor of Oyo State and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, who chaired the event, described Ramadan as a season of perseverance and blessings.
Several dignitaries, including political leaders, religious scholars and traditional rulers, attended the lecture and offered prayers for the state and its leadership.
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
