Governor Seyi Makinde has called on residents of Oyo State to resist attempts to politicise religion ahead of the 2027 governorship race as political activities continue to build up.
He urged them instead to prioritise competence, unity and collective progress in choosing his successor.
The governor made the call on Wednesday during the farewell ceremony for the state’s 2026 Hajj intending pilgrims held at the Hajj Camp, Olodo, Ibadan.
Makinde disclosed that some political stakeholders had approached him with suggestions that the next governor of the state should be a Muslim.
He, however, dismissed the position, insisting that leadership should not be determined by religious considerations but by the capacity and vision of aspirants.
According to him, the people of Oyo State must seek divine guidance in electing a leader who will sustain the pace of development and uphold the interests of the state.
He further noted that the state’s political history does not support claims that electoral outcomes are determined along religious lines.
Citing the composition of the state’s representation in the National Assembly over time, the governor pointed out that individuals of the same religious background have occupied key positions, yet their emergence was driven by broader electoral support rather than sectarian sentiment.
“People have come to me, saying the next governor should be a Muslim,” he said. “But Oyo State must not go that route.
“We should pray that God gives us a progressive-minded leader. When the time is right, I will present the relevant facts for public discourse.”
Makinde stressed that while religion has been a divisive factor in some parts of the country, Oyo State must continue to stand out as a model of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.
In a related development, the governor announced the approval of two buses for the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board to ease transportation challenges for pilgrims both within Nigeria and in Saudi Arabia.
He said the move would eliminate the need for the state’s pilgrims to depend on borrowed vehicles during Hajj operations.
Makinde also charged the intending pilgrims to use the spiritual exercise as an opportunity to pray for peace, unity and prosperity in both Oyo State and Nigeria, particularly as the country approaches another election cycle.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Hashim Atere, commended the Makinde administration for improvements at the Hajj camp, enhanced logistics and reforms that have streamlined the travel process for pilgrims.
He disclosed that the first batch of the state’s 1,036 intending pilgrims is scheduled to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia on May 3, 2026.