|By Adejumo Adekunle
Seyi Makinde has declared that his successor in 2027 will emerge strictly on the basis of competence and loyalty to Oyo State, distancing himself from the traditional practice of handpicking loyalists for personal allegiance.
The governor made the pronouncement at the 12th edition of the ‘Omituntun’ Annual Ramadan Public Lecture held at the Ibadan North Local Government Motor Park, Agodi Gate, Ibadan.
Speaking before party stakeholders, religious leaders and supporters, Makinde said he had drawn lessons from conversations with fellow governors who allegedly regretted their succession choices.
He revealed that some leaders confided in him that individuals they handed over power to changed character immediately after assuming office.
“I have been speaking with many of my colleagues, and they told me that the person they transferred power to came into office and began acting improperly,” Makinde stated. “I asked them how they picked the person and how they supported him, but he changed once he got to the office.”
The governor said the recurring political pattern has been for incumbents to install successors believed to be personally loyal to them, only to face disappointment later.
Breaking from that model, Makinde stressed that Oyo State’s next governor must demonstrate capacity and unwavering commitment to the people rather than allegiance to him.
“Today, I have decided that whoever becomes my successor will be chosen based on their ability and loyalty to Oyo State, not to Seyi Makinde,” he declared.
Makinde also warned against a return to the era of political violence, urging residents to safeguard the state’s democratic stability irrespective of party affiliations.
“But going forward, we don’t want to go back to the time when there was political violence, no matter which party someone is part of. So, please keep praying that whoever becomes the next governor should be loyal to the state,” he added.
The governor’s remarks have intensified early political calculations ahead of the 2027 governorship race, as stakeholders interpret his statement as a signal that merit, performance record and public trust will outweigh personal loyalty in determining his preferred successor.
