Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that the influence of the Federal Government will not determine the outcome of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that Nigerians will freely choose their leaders.
Makinde spoke on Wednesday at the Oyo State Tourism Summit held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
According to the governor, Nigerians are becoming more politically conscious and will no longer remain passive during elections.
“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.”
The governor also spoke on the future of governance in Oyo State after the end of his administration, saying efforts had been made to establish structures that would ensure continuity.
Makinde maintained that although he could recommend a successor, the people of the state would ultimately decide who becomes governor.
“I tell people that I will recommend for Oyo State people, but the decision will rest with the people of Oyo State,” he said.
He warned residents against supporting any candidate lacking the competence to govern effectively, stressing that the consequences of poor leadership could linger for years.
“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,” the governor added.
There has been increasing speculation that Makinde may support a former Commissioner for Finance, Bimbo Adekanbi, as his preferred governorship candidate ahead of the next election.
The speculation gained attention after the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, revealed that he led lawmakers to what he described as a strategic breakfast meeting with Adekanbi, whom he called “the consensus gubernatorial candidate” of the Allied Peoples Movement in the state.
Responding to the discussions surrounding succession politics, Makinde said his support would go to any candidate who is loyal to Oyo State and possesses the ability to govern effectively, irrespective of political party affiliation.
“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?” he said.
“For us, if you’re from Oyo State, loyal to Oyo State, and have capacity, we will support you. We are blind to party colouration but open to capacity that can move Oyo State forward.”
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