The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that competence and loyalty to the people of Oyo State will be the key factors in determining who succeeds him in 2027.
The governor, according to a release issued by his Special Adviser (Media), Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, made this statement on Thursday 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 enabled him to record many impactful achievements in the almost seven years he has been in office, including the payment of over N25 billion to clear gratuity arrears owed by previous governments.
Makinde added that he had also increased the monthly gratuity payout from N1 billion to N3 billion to ensure that no retiree would be owed gratuity by the end of May 2027.
The governor also said that the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport to an international airport is another major achievement of his administration, stating that all hands are on deck to ensure that Hajj pilgrims will be airlifted from the facility in May 2026.
He appreciated the Muslim Ummah in Oyo State for their prayers, support and cooperation with his administration since 2019 and urged them not to relent in their prayers for the government.
Makinde, who noted that the annual Omituntun Ramadan Lecture predated his assumption of office as Oyo State governor, added that he would continue with the lecture even after leaving office, as it would provide an opportunity to continue reaching out to the people.
He said: “I want to greet and appreciate our Imams, Alfas and our Muslim brothers and sisters for your prayers and support for this government, your government.
“Yes, they can say the state has been peaceful since we got into office. But I know that this wouldn’t have been achieved without your cooperation.”
The governor added, “I have been talking to quite a number of my colleagues, and they said the person they handed over power to got into office and started misbehaving. I asked them how they chose and supported the person, but he changed when he got into office. The common thread has been that they installed someone they felt would be loyal to them.
“Today, I have made up my mind that whoever emerges as my successor will be chosen 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 becomes the next governor will be loyal to the state.”
Speaking further, the governor said he would donate seven buses to seven selected mosques, one in each of the state’s geopolitical zones, to support the propagation of Islam and to commemorate the 12th edition of the Omituntun Ramadan Lecture.
The governor also gifted the guest lecturer, Fadilat Sheikh Jamiu Ajadi Sanusi, also known as Ami Olohun, a brand new SUV for his insightful lecture and contribution to the success of the 12th Omituntun Annual Ramadan Lecture.
Earlier, while delivering the Ramadan lecture entitled “Contentment,” the guest lecturer, Sheikh Sanusi, commended the developmental strides of Governor Makinde’s administration and urged him to be cautious of mischievous people around him.
He also lauded the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the state and urged residents to be content with whatever Allah has bestowed upon them, adding that religion should not create problems, irrespective of differences.
He equally commended Governor Makinde for being God-fearing and urged him to remain steadfast in doing what is right for the benefit of mankind.
In his opening remarks, former Governor of Oyo State and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Sen.) Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa I), who chaired the occasion, noted that Ramadan is a period of perseverance and tolerance.
He urged the Muslim Ummah to see the period as a month of blessings.
Also, in their separate goodwill messages, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola; former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; and the Chairman, Oyo State Elders’ Council, Chief Saka Balogun, lauded the governor for sustaining the programme over the past 12 years and for his support for the propagation of Islam.
In his vote of thanks, the Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, appreciated the support and cooperation enjoyed by the present administration from the Muslim community in the state and sought continued prayers and support for the government.
Special prayers led by the renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh (Dr) Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa, were offered for the governor and the state.
The event was attended by the wife of the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Ajibola Lawal; former Deputy Governor, Engr Hamid Gbadamosi; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Debo Ogundoyin; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Hon. Justice O. M. Olagunju; member representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Hon. Fola Oyekunle; member representing Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, Hon. Adepoju Anthony Adebayo; member representing Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency, Hon. Ojo Sunday Makanjuola; former member representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Hon. Shina Peller; and former member representing Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi.
Also in attendance were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; President, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Tajudeen Abdulganiyu; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; Chief of Staff, Otunba (Dr) Segun Ogunwuyi; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi; and the Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal.
The Co-Chairman, Oyo State Elders’ Council, Elder Wole Oyelese; Chairman, Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Sheikh Hashim Atere; PDP Women Leader (South-West), Alhaja Bose Adedibu; Oyo State PDP Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke; and the Chairman of all Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, also attended the event.
Others included the Chief Imam of Ibadanland and Grand Chief Imam of Oyo State, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Abubakry Agbotomokekere; Iyalode Adinni of Yorubaland, Alhaja Bolade Aderibigbe; Prof. K. K. Oloso; Chief Bayo Oyero; Baba Isale Musulumi, Oloye Nureni Akanbi; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Barr. Ajeniyi Ajewole; Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeniyan; Muslim scholars, religious leaders, traditional rulers, the League of Imams and Alfas, royal fathers, service commanders, commissioners and permanent secretaries, among other dignitaries.