Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has given a robust assurance that the trajectory of good governance established under his administration will endure beyond the expiration of his tenure in May 2027, saying his team, not just his person, remains poised to carry on the work of transforming the state.
The governor delivered this message of confidence and continuity on Sunday at a Thanksgiving Service held at the Cathedral of St Peter’s, Aremo, Ibadan, in celebration of Oyo State’s 50th anniversary, a milestone he described as evidence of God’s favour on the state.
Addressing congregants, Makinde said the foundations his government has laid over the past years are solid and designed to endure. He emphasised that his administration’s efforts were guided by divine purpose rather than political machinations.
“My charge to you as we celebrate this 50th anniversary is that we should not go back to where we came from. Let us stay focused,” the governor said, underscoring that the state would continue to be led according to what he described as “the will and guidance of God.”
Reflecting on his political journey, which saw him contest for governor for eight years before succeeding in 2019, Makinde framed his administration as a fresh chapter for Oyo. “When I became the governor… and the significance of eight in the Bible depicts a new beginning,” he said. “God has brought a particular governor at a particular time to signify a new beginning for the state.”
In an emphatic statement, Makinde rejected suggestions that his electoral support implied indebtedness to any political “godfather”.
He asserted, “I tell people that I am not ashamed to say I don’t have a godfather; I only have God the Father… Yes, you go somewhere to seek support. Does that make the person your godfather?”
Makinde further stated that while his tenure will end in 2027, the team he built to deliver governance “is still intact” and will continue working for the people of Oyo State in various capacities after his departure from office. He assured residents that good governance was not tied to one individual but embedded in the structures and personnel of his administration.
The governor’s address was bolstered by a goodwill message from Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate and former Governor of Anambra State. Obi lauded Makinde’s leadership, commending his impact on Oyo’s development.
“It is always an honour to be in Ibadan…the people who came with me said you don’t know how this place has changed,” Obi said, urging Nigerians to “remember us, politicians, in prayers” as a remedy for the country’s governance challenges.
Obi added, “Nigeria is not a poor country but only poorly governed…that is what Makinde is doing in this state.”
The Thanksgiving Service formed part of a broader week-long programme of activities marking Oyo’s golden jubilee, including cultural exhibitions, lectures, and awards. Makinde had earlier inaugurated the anniversary events at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, attended by traditional rulers, former leaders, religious figures and political stakeholders.
In his sermon titled “Gratitude,” the Archbishop of Ibadan Province, The Most Rev’d Williams Aladekugbe, praised past and present leaders for contributing to the state’s growth, highlighting infrastructure development, improved welfare for workers and pensioners, and peaceful coexistence among communities. Special prayers were offered for the continuity of good governance and for the emergence of a worthy successor who would sustain Oyo’s development trajectory.
As Oyo State reflects on five decades of existence, Makinde’s remarks underscore a leadership philosophy centred on faith, institutional continuity, and a belief that the state’s progress must transcend individual tenure. The governor’s assurance of sustained governance beyond 2027 aligns with his broader developmental agenda, which has seen strategic investments in infrastructure, social welfare, and institutional strengthening, intended to shape Oyo’s future irrespective of political transitions.
