Makinde: I Won’t Be Godfather to My Successor

“After eight years of serving the people of Oyo State, I will ensure that there is a smooth transition and that whoever succeeds me is given the opportunity to develop and implement policies in line with the aspirations and yearnings of the people.”

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has vowed not to play the role of a political godfather to his successor after leaving office in 2027, saying the next administration must have the freedom to govern in line with the aspirations of the people.

Makinde spoke on Monday at a luncheon organised for members of the Muslim community at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Ibadan.

The governor had in May endorsed Bimbo Adekanmbi, a former commissioner for finance and the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), as his preferred successor.

Makinde said his priority after completing eight years in office would be to ensure a smooth transition and allow his successor to independently formulate and implement policies.

“I won’t be a political godfather to my successor,” he said.

“After eight years of serving the people of Oyo State, I will ensure that there is a smooth transition and that whoever succeeds me is given the opportunity to develop and implement policies in line with the aspirations and yearnings of the people.”

The governor said leadership should be defined by service to the people rather than the desire to retain political control.

He urged voters to scrutinise political aspirants based on their competence, character and commitment to public service, rather than ethnicity, religion or other primordial considerations.

“Ask yourselves what they have done, what they can do and whether they genuinely have the interest of the people at heart,” Makinde said.

According to him, the essence of governance is to improve the lives of citizens, stressing that public officials must place the interests of the people above personal and political considerations.

“That is the essence of leadership and that is what our people deserve,” he added.

The governor, who is approaching the end of his second term, said the remaining months of his administration would focus on consolidating its achievements and completing projects and programmes aimed at improving the welfare of residents.

“Until the expiration of this administration, we will continue to make decisions and take actions that will promote development, peace and prosperity in Oyo State,” he said.

Makinde also pledged that his administration would continue to ensure that public resources were deployed for the benefit of the people until the end of his tenure.

He thanked residents for the confidence and support they had given his administration over the past eight years, saying the trust would not be taken for granted.