Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State declared on Wednesday that political intimidation and the use of federal influence will not determine the outcome of the 2027 elections in the state. He insisted that the people are prepared to defend their democratic choices at the polls.
Tourism Summit Address
Makinde made the remarks during his address at the 2026 Oyo State International Tourism Summit held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan. He maintained that the future of Oyo State must be anchored on continuity, competence and popular participation.
The governor expressed confidence that Nigerians are becoming more politically conscious and would resist any attempt to impose leaders through federal influence or intimidation. He said: “It may have happened in Ekiti State and other instances in the past but this time around, it is Nigerians that are ready to show politicians pepper. They will show us that they are no more bystanders, they will participate and I’m sure of what I’m saying.”
Leadership and Electoral Choices
Makinde maintained that while leadership may change, enduring systems and institutions are what guarantee sustainable development. He urged voters to pay close attention to competence and leadership capacity ahead of the next election cycle, warning that poor electoral choices carry long-term consequences.
“I tell people that I can only recommend for Oyo State people but the decision rests with them. If they make the mistake of electing someone who will not deliver due to defective capacity, election is a one-day event but the impact will last four whole years, so we must get it right”, he said.
Internal Sabotage Warning
The governor cautioned against acts capable of undermining his administration before the expiration of his tenure. Makinde reminded political stakeholders that he remains constitutionally in charge of the state until May 29, 2027, indicating that his administration would not tolerate internal sabotage or distractions as succession politics intensify across the state.
Political Mentorship and Appointments
The governor also defended his style of political mentorship and appointments, while dismissing criticisms surrounding the emergence of individuals perceived by some critics as having ties with the opposition All Progressives Congress. According to him, competence and loyalty to Oyo State remain the major considerations for his administration rather than political affiliation.
“Some people said, ‘Oh Seyi, you couldn’t mentor anybody without a taint of APC inclination in seven years of being in government to succeed you,’ and I asked, is Bimbo Adekanmbi or Morounkola Thomas from Oyo State or not?” the governor said. “They agreed they are from Oyo State and I said, ‘Okay, well for us, if you’re from Oyo State and loyal to Oyo State, and you have the capacity, we will tap you to support the development of Oyo State.”
Makinde stressed that his administration deliberately accommodates capable individuals across political divides in order to sustain governance and development. “For every Morounkola Thomas, there’s a Segun Ogunwuyi, for every Bimbo Adekanmbi, there’s Professor Musibaudeen Babatunde. We’re blind to party coloration, we’re open to capacity that can move Oyo State forward,” he added.
Tourism and Infrastructure Vision
The governor also reiterated his vision of transforming Oyo into the tourism capital of South-West Nigeria, citing massive infrastructural development across the state, especially within the Oke-Ogun axis. He recalled that members of the summit had recently toured parts of the zone, expressing confidence that the region would soon become a major tourism and investment destination.
Makinde boasted about the quality of roads constructed under his administration, noting that commuters can now travel long distances across the state without encountering potholes. “I used to boast to people that from the train station at Moniya, you can drive on state roads at least 180 kilometres with no single pothole. You can drive Moniya to Iseyin, from Iseyin to Ogbomoso, and from Iseyin to Oyo without finding a single pothole,” he stated.
