Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that competence and a proven track record of loyalty to the people of the state will be the primary criteria for selecting his successor. Speaking today at the 12th “Omituntun” Annual Ramadan Public Lecture held at the Ibadan North Local Government Motor Park, Agodi Gate, Ibadan, the Governor broke away from the traditional political narrative of personal fealty.
Reflecting on the experiences of his peers, Makinde noted that many leaders have faced betrayal from successors they handpicked based solely on personal loyalty. “I have made up my mind that whoever would emerge as my successor would be based on competence and loyalty to Oyo State, not to Seyi Makinde,” he told the gathering of Muslim faithful and state dignitaries.
The event, held on February 26, 2026, also served as a platform for the Governor to announce significant welfare and infrastructure updates:
- Gratuity Increase: The Governor announced a 200% increase in the monthly allocation for clearing the backlog of workers’ gratuities, raising it from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion to ensure all retirees are paid by May 2027.
- Aviation Milestone: He confirmed that the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport’s upgrade to international status is on track, with the first Hajj pilgrims expected to be airlifted directly from Ibadan to Saudi Arabia by May 3 and 4, 2026.
- Empowerment Donations: To support Islamic propagation, Makinde donated seven buses to various mosques across the state and presented a new SUV to the guest lecturer, Sheikh Jamiu Ajadi Sanusi.
The guest lecturer, Sheikh Sanusi, delivered a sermon focused on contentment and cautioned the government against sycophancy. The event also featured goodwill messages from the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who emphasised that the overlap of the 2026 Ramadan and Lenten seasons is a divine call for religious harmony and national unity.
