Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. Photo: Oyo State Govt

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has told those jostling to succeed him in 2027 to stop using his administration’s shortcomings as a campaign strategy, saying he will not be on the ballot in the governorship election.

Makinde, who spoke at a programme in Ibadan, the state capital, on Monday, also appeared to take a swipe at popular broadcaster and Accord governorship candidate, Oriyomi Hamzat, over claims by some political actors about his role in Makinde’s emergence in politics.

The governor said rather than abusing him or dwelling on what his administration had failed to accomplish, those seeking to be his successor should tell the people of Oyo State what they intended to do differently if elected.

“I have seen a few people going around saying they want to become governor. I saw another one that they showed me yesterday saying he was the one who brought me into politics. Some even said I didn’t do some things.

“I am not the one contesting for governor. The people of Oyo State have given me the opportunity to serve them. Go and tell them what you want to do differently. Stop abusing Seyi Makinde.

“Abuse Bimbo and his followers. You guys should abuse yourselves. I’m not in the league to contest for governor again. Why is it that Seyi Makinde did not do some things? Is that the message you are passing around as campaign? I have done my bit,” he said.

Makinde, whose second term expires in 2027, urged the electorate to demand accountability from all the governorship contestants and ask them to explain how they would improve on his administration’s achievements and address areas where it fell short.

He said, “So next time when people come to talk to you, tell them that it is where we couldn’t finish that they want to continue, and sort those things out.

“So that every mistake that we have made, they will correct it in the best interest of the people of Oyo State.”

The governor’s remarks come amid increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with several politicians positioning themselves to succeed him.

One of the prominent entrants into the race is Hamzat, founder of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, who declared his intention to contest the election under the Accord Party in January 2026.

He subsequently emerged as the party’s governorship candidate after its primary in May.

Hamzat’s emergence has added another dimension to the political contest, given his previously cordial relationship with the governor and the role he has played in Oyo’s political and social space.

Before the relationship became strained, Makinde had publicly acknowledged his familiarity with Hamzat, saying in 2022 that the broadcaster’s commitment to the emancipation of the masses was one of the qualities that brought them together.

Makinde also said at the time that he and Hamzat had known each other before he became governor, although he acknowledged that they sometimes had disagreements over issues concerning government.

Recall, Hamzat had earlier claimed that he was among those who brought Governor Seyi Makinde into the political race that eventually produced him as governor of the state.

Hamzat also said that he deserved credit for all the successes that Makinde achieved as governor of the state in his eight-year tenure.

He made the claims while addressing members of the Accord Party in Ibadan on Saturday, as the once-close relationship between him and Makinde continues to deteriorate over their divergent political interests ahead of the 2027 general election.

The broadcaster, who is popularly known for his interventionist night programme, “Kokoro Alate”, where members of the public discuss personal challenges and seek solutions, said he supported Makinde’s governorship bid because he believed the latter would work for the people of Oyo State.

Makinde further urged his supporters not to be distracted by campaign rhetoric but to interrogate the programmes and records of those seeking their votes.

He said the next governor should not only criticise his administration but should identify unfinished projects and mistakes and provide better solutions for the people.

“Tell them that it is where we couldn’t finish that they want to continue, and sort those things out,” he said.