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Gov. MAKINDE Gives Hint
Amid speculations on who will succeed him in 2027 after the expiration of his second term tenure, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has hinted how his successor would emerge. While answering questions during a recent media chat, the governor stated that he has been building people in leadership positions when asked about his likely successor.
Governor Makinde, stressed that when the time comes, he could advise based on facts available to him and it would be left to the people of the state to decide. He therefore warned that human beings should not play god by deciding on things out of their reach.
Makinde, in the course of the interactive session, also said that one thing he was quite certain of was that his administration would leave behind strong institutions, including the ones he set up such as the Oyo State Security Network codenamed Amotekun, Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA), Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Social Education Development, (OMASED), the Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, which were set up to bring order into the state. He added that a proper orientation would be given to the people of the state before the implementation and enforcement of the rule of law in 2024. The governor appreciated the people for standing by his administration, just as he pleaded with them for more support as “the government continues to execute and implement policies that will be in the best interest of the people.
Meanwhile, this revelation by Governor Makinde on who succeeds him is coming when many insinuations are already flying around as to who may be the likely successor. To some political watchers, Makinde is an institution as far as the state’s politics is concerned, and must be actively involved in who comes after him. They believe Makinde, is becoming a political godfather of sorts with formidable foot soldiers in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Oyo State.
To drive home their point, they cited as example what they described as Makinde’s recent “political gamble” when he pitched his tent with the All Progressives Congress’ Bola Tinubu (now President Bola Tinubu) and worked against the Presidential candidate of his own party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Makinde didn’t only get away with what was considered a political sacrilege but won his second term bid. He has also remained the ultimate leader of PDP in Oyo State and even in South-West. This school of thoughts also believe that the governor has to shop for a successor who will not only be well acceptable to the people but an experienced person. Somebody with the wherewithal to really lead and drive the state to the next level.
According to them, the person must be the one who would carry on with Makinde’e “sustainable development” legacy and of course, loyal to a fault. Though 2027 may still be far to some people but to politicians, the race to the next guber election has already begun. The big question on the lips of many now however is, who is going to be Governor Seyi Makinde’s successor?
Would Makinde look outside Ibadan and chose a successor from Oke-Ogun zone? Is the current deputy governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal in the picture? All these questions will definitely be answered soon as events unfold.
-Dare Adeniran
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