The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, says the influence of federal power will not decide the outcome of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Wednesday during the Oyo State Tourism Summit held at the University of Ibadan International Conference Centre (ICC), Makinde expressed confidence that Nigerians would freely choose their preferred leaders regardless of political pressure.
“I believe that this election cycle, federal might will not work. It has worked in Ekiti state in both instances but this time around, Nigerians will show politicians pepper,” he said.
“They will show us that they don’t want to be bystanders anymore; they will participate, and I’m sure of what I’m saying.”
Speaking about governance after his administration, Makinde stated that his government has established structures that would ensure continuity in Oyo State.
He explained that while he may endorse a successor, the final decision rests with the people of the state.
The governor warned that electing an incapable leader could negatively affect the state for years.
“I tell people that I will recommend for Oyo state people, but the decision will rest with the people of Oyo state,” he said.
“But if you make a mistake and bring someone who will not do good work, it is a one-day event, but the impact will last four years.
“So, we must get it right. Leadership changes but systems, they endure. So, our focus has been deliberate.”
There have been reports that Makinde could support Bimbo Adekanbi, a former commissioner for finance, as his preferred governorship candidate.
Adekanbi previously served under the late Abiola Ajimobi during the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
On Wednesday, Adebo Ogundoyin, speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, disclosed that he led lawmakers to “a strategic breakfast meeting” with Adekanbi, whom he described as “the consensus gubernatorial candidate of our new party in the State Allied Peoples Movement.”
Oyo remains the only state currently controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the south-west region, despite the party’s ongoing internal crisis involving factions loyal to Makinde and Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Reacting to the speculations, Makinde said he would support any candidate loyal to Oyo State and capable of delivering good governance.
“People said ‘oh, so Seyi, you did not mentor anyone these seven years you have been in government that can take over from you without the taint of APC’? And I ask them that Morohunkola Thomas or Bimbo Adekanbi, are they not from Oyo state? For us, if you’re from Oyo state, loyal to Oyo state, and have capacity, we will support you,” he said.
“We are blind to part colouration but open to capacity that can move Oyo state forward.”
Makinde added that his administration is focused on building lasting systems that future governments can improve upon rather than discard.
He said the state has moved beyond identifying opportunities and is now prioritising systems that can sustain long-term growth and development.