Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has asserted that the use of federal power will not determine the outcome of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that Nigerian voters will exercise independent judgment at the polls.
Speaking at the Oyo State Tourism Summit held at the University of Ibadan’s International Conference Centre, Makinde maintained that citizens are no longer content to remain passive in the political process and will hold elected officials accountable through their votes.
The governor acknowledged that federal leverage had previously shaped electoral outcomes in Ekiti State on two occasions, but argued that the upcoming election cycle will be different. He predicted that Nigerians will send a strong message to politicians by actively participating rather than standing on the sidelines.
On the question of succession, Makinde indicated that while he intends to endorse a preferred candidate, the final decision rests entirely with the people of Oyo State. He nonetheless warned that choosing a leader lacking the competence to govern carries consequences that outlast election day, noting that poor leadership choices tend to affect residents for the full duration of a four-year term.
“Leadership changes but systems endure,” he said, emphasizing that his administration has been intentional about building structures that will outlast his tenure and ensure continuity of governance.
Speculation has been mounting that Makinde may be backing former Finance Commissioner Bimbo Adekanbi as his preferred successor. The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, had earlier indicated that lawmakers attended a meeting with Adekanbi, describing him as the consensus governorship candidate under the Allied Peoples Movement.
Responding to the rumors, Makinde said his support would go to any candidate who demonstrates loyalty to Oyo State and possesses genuine governing capacity, regardless of party affiliation. He dismissed suggestions that he had failed to develop a credible successor, pointing to both Morohunkola Thomas and Bimbo Adekanbi as capable individuals with roots in the state.
The governor also noted that Oyo State has moved past the stage of merely identifying development opportunities and is now focused on building sustainable systems capable of driving long-term growth.
