Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday urged members of his political family to remain united, warning that personal ambitions must not be allowed to undermine the cohesion of his team ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meeting with Political Stakeholders
Makinde gave the charge at a meeting with political stakeholders held in Ibadan, where he hosted party leaders, government officials, and 2027 aspirants. Among those present were the Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; and Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi. Others included Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, representing Ibadan South West/Ibadan North West Federal Constituency; Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi; Hon. Dare Adeleke; Barr. Ayodele Adekanmbi; Hon. Akinwale Akinwole; Engr. Muftau Salawu; Hon. Ademola Omotoso; Dr. Akin Fagbemi; as well as other political stakeholders and party leaders.
Call for Unity and Teamwork
The governor called on party leaders, stakeholders, aspirants, and elected officials to sustain unity, stressing that the progress recorded in the state since 2019 was a product of collective effort rather than individual brilliance. He noted that while his administration had received commendation for raising governance standards in Oyo State, such achievements should be attributed to teamwork across different levels of government and political structures.
Makinde cautioned against allowing ambitions to divide the camp, pointing out that out of 51 elective positions available in the 2027 general elections, only a few individuals would eventually emerge, requiring broad-based support from others to succeed. He said the engagement with stakeholders would be sustained as part of efforts to consolidate internal cohesion and ensure continuity of governance.
Electoral Success and Continuity
The governor maintained that the people of Oyo State had entrusted his administration with the responsibility of selecting credible successors capable of sustaining ongoing reforms. He expressed confidence that the political structure would replicate its electoral successes of 2019 and 2023. Makinde further urged members of the political family to prioritise peacebuilding and avoid actions capable of derailing the system, warning against misinformation and disinformation allegedly aimed at creating division within the ranks.
Reflecting on his administration’s journey, the governor expressed appreciation to God and the people of the state, noting that one of the key achievements of his team was the peaceful conduct of party congresses and candidate selection processes over the past seven years.
Quotes from the Governor
“It has been a tough period for us, politically,” Makinde said. “But for me, there must not be any division, so that Oyo State people can continue to reap the benefits of this team. Only one person can occupy a position at any time.
“Out of about 10 million people, only 51 elective positions are available in the 2027 elections. So, we must remain united and grateful to the people of Oyo State for the opportunity to serve them.
“My political ambition from the beginning was to be a senator, but I became governor because God’s will is ultimate. We must continue to watch out for one another and be our brother’s keeper.”
He added that the electorate in Oyo State were desirous of continuity, insisting that unity within the ruling structure remained key to electoral success. “We must keep the team together. There will be misinformation and disinformation, but we must not allow it to divide us. This is the time to settle grievances and remain focused,” he said.
