Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday received a rousing welcome from workers at the state Secretariat, Ibadan, as he resumed official duties after his annual leave, using the occasion to take veiled swipes at the governorship candidates of the opposition parties ahead of the 2027 election.
Makinde, who addressed a large gathering of civil servants and other government officials at the Secretariat, said the achievements recorded by his administration since 2019 were largely attributable to the quality and competence of the high profile team he assembled to run the affairs of the state.
Westernmirror.com.ng reports that the APC has in recent weeks intensified its criticism of the Makinde administration, including over economic policies and the government’s security spending, while the governor and his political allies have continued to defend the administration’s record.
The governor’s return to the Secretariat came amid heightened political activities in Oyo State, where the 2027 governorship contest is already generating intense exchanges among the major political parties.
While making what appeared to be pointed references to opposition governorship candidates, particularly those of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Accord, the governor cautioned voters against being persuaded by political rhetoric without corresponding evidence of competence, experience and a clearly articulated economic programme for Oyo State.
He said his administration had been able to deliver on its promises because it deliberately assembled professionals with relevant expertise across different areas of governance.
According to him, “We have delivered because we paraded our best 11 and some of our brilliant minds.”
Makinde added that the composition of his administration demonstrated the importance he attached to competence and professionalism in public administration.
He noted that he is a certified engineer, while his deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal, is a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the state, and the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibaudeen Babatunde, is an economist and university don among other high profile personalities under his administration.
The governor argued that governance should not be reduced to political slogans, media appearances or campaign rhetoric, stressing that running a state requires technical knowledge, institutional understanding and the ability to translate ideas into policies and programmes.
He recalled how he took a tough decision not to shutdown the state as a show of ‘bandwagon’ effect in 2020 for political convenience barely six months into his first term of office when other states were shutting down their states and exposing their people to more difficult economic realities without any alternative plans to cushion the effects of the hardship.
He therefore challenged opposition politicians seeking to govern Oyo State in 2027 to explain what they intend to do differently and how they would sustain the state’s economic and developmental trajectory beyond the current administration.
Makinde said political actors should not build their campaigns around his personality or record without presenting concrete post-2027 plans to the electorate stressing that he has served the people to the best of his ability and available resources.
He urged opposition parties and their candidates to stop attempting to sell themselves by merely attaching their political narratives to his administration, insisting that voters deserve to know their independent ideological direction, economic policies and development plans.
The governor also appealed to the electorate, particularly workers, to scrutinise political promises ahead of the 2027 elections and avoid being swayed by what he described as emotional rhetoric that was not supported by practical proposals for economic sustainability.
He said the electorate’s decision in 2027 would have significant implications for the direction of the state, urging workers to carefully examine the records, competence and programmes of all candidates before casting their votes.
The governor equally used the occasion to highlight what he described as his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare and standard of living of workers in the state.
He said his government had prioritised issues affecting workers and had taken steps aimed at improving their earning capacity, working conditions and overall welfare. He cited prompt and uninterrupted payment of workers salary, pensions, and gratuities as part of his administration’s efforts to ensure workers in the state do not suffer hardship occasioned by national economic policies.
He declared that his administration will sustain the payment of wage award of ₦25,000 for workers and ₦10,000 monthly transportation allowance as part of efforts to reduce the economic burden imposed on them by removal of fuel subsidy.
Makinde urged the workers to remain vigilant as political campaigns intensify, saying the political choices they make in 2027 would determine the next phase of governance and socioeconomic development in Oyo State.
His comments came against the backdrop of increasing political activities in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the APC, Accord, Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), and other political platforms positioning themselves for the governorship contest.
Makinde also responded to criticisms surrounding his recent annual leave and the transfer of administrative responsibility to his deputy governor.
He carpeted those who questioned his decision to proceed on leave and allow Lawal to oversee the affairs of the state, describing the arrangement as constitutional and part of the established framework for continuity in government.
The Oyo State House of Assembly had in July approved Makinde’s request to proceed on annual leave from August 10 to September 11, with Lawal authorised to oversee the affairs of the state during his absence in Acting capacity.
The governor argued that there was nothing unconstitutional about transmitting authority to his deputy while proceeding on vacation.
Under Section 190 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, a governor proceeding on vacation is required to transmit a written declaration to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, after which the deputy governor performs the functions of governor as Acting Governor until the governor formally resumes.
Makinde consequently questioned the practice at the federal level, asking why President Bola Tinubu does not always transmit authority to Vice-President Kashim Shettima whenever he travels out of the country for vacation or other periods of absence.
He argued that the constitutional provision was intended to ensure continuity and avoid any vacuum in the exercise of executive authority.
Makinde therefore maintained that his own decision to formally transmit authority to his deputy represented compliance with the constitutional framework rather than an administrative irregularity.
The governor further urged workers and other residents of the state to approach the 2027 political season with discernment, warning against what he described as politically motivated narratives lacking objectivity and clear vision.
He said candidates should be judged by the substance of their programmes, their understanding of governance and the practicality of their economic proposals rather than by emotional appeals or attacks directed at political opponents.
Makinde also warned against what he described as attempts to exploit his administration’s record for political advantage without presenting alternative solutions to the challenges confronting the state.
He said the responsibility of choosing the next administration ultimately rested with the electorate, stressing that voters must be sufficiently informed to distinguish between political rhetoric and workable development strategies.