Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said he will not become a political godfather who dictates how government should be run after leaving office in 2027.
Makinde said his successor would be given the freedom to lead the state and implement policies without undue interference from him after the completion of his eight-year tenure.
The governor spoke on Monday while receiving members of the Muslim community at a Hijrah 1448 luncheon held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
He said his decision was based on his belief that political leadership should be about serving the people and building institutions that would continue to work after an elected official has left office.
Makinde, who began his second term in 2023, is expected to leave office in 2027 because the constitution limits a governor to two four-year terms.
He said he would focus on ensuring a smooth transition rather than trying to retain influence over the administration that would succeed his government.
“I won’t be a political godfather to my successor. After eight years of serving the people of Oyo State, I will ensure that there is a smooth transition and that whoever succeeds me is given the opportunity to develop and implement policies in line with the aspirations and yearnings of the people,” he said.
The governor added that the success of political leadership should not be measured by the ability of former office holders to control their successors.
“The essence of political leadership should not be the ability to control those who come after a public office holder, but the willingness to serve humanity and leave behind institutions and structures that can continue to benefit the people,” he said.
Makinde’s comments come as political activities gradually build up ahead of the 2027 general elections, when a new governor will be elected in Oyo State.
The governor also used the occasion to advise voters to pay more attention to the qualities and records of candidates rather than allowing ethnic, religious or other considerations to determine their choices.
He urged eligible voters, particularly members of the Muslim community, to carefully examine candidates seeking political office and hold them accountable for their promises and records.
“Leadership should be about service to humanity, not about control. As we approach another election period, I want to urge our people, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, to hold those seeking political office accountable,” he said.
Makinde warned voters against choosing candidates simply because they belonged to the same ethnic or religious group.
He urged them to consider competence, character, experience and commitment to public service before making their choices.
“Do not assess political aspirants based on ethnicity, religion or other primordial considerations. Look at their competence, their character and their commitment to public service,” the governor said.
He asked voters to examine what candidates had done in the past, what they were capable of doing and whether they genuinely had the interest of the people at heart.
According to him, government exists primarily to improve the lives of citizens and public office holders should place the interest of the people above personal or political interests.
“Governance is about improving the lives of the people. Those entrusted with public office must always put the interest of the citizens above their personal interests or political interests. That is the essence of leadership and that is what our people deserve,” he said.
The governor also assured residents that his administration would remain focused on delivering good governance for the rest of its tenure.
He said the government would concentrate on completing ongoing projects, consolidating its achievements and delivering additional programmes that would have a direct impact on residents.
“Our remaining period in office will be dedicated to consolidating the achievements we have recorded so far and delivering more impactful projects and programmes for the benefit of our people across the state,” he said.
Makinde added that his administration would continue to take decisions aimed at promoting development, peace and prosperity across Oyo State until the end of his tenure.
“Until the expiration of this administration, we will continue to make decisions and take actions that will promote development, peace and prosperity in Oyo. We will continue to work for the people and ensure that the resources entrusted to us are used for the benefit of the people,” he said.
The governor also thanked residents for their support and confidence in his administration over the past eight years.
He specifically appreciated the Muslim community for what he described as its partnership and contribution to the growth and stability of the state.
“I want to appreciate the people of Oyo for the confidence and support you have given this administration over the last eight years. We do not take that support for granted,” Makinde said.
He added, “I also want to sincerely appreciate the Muslim community for your partnership and your contributions to the growth and stability of our state. Your support has been important to the progress we have made.”
Makinde further assured residents that his administration would continue to promote an inclusive government where all parts of the state would have a sense of belonging.
The governor’s remarks on political godfatherism are significant in a Nigerian political environment where former governors and other influential political figures sometimes remain active in determining who succeeds them and how subsequent administrations operate.
Political godfatherism has often generated disagreements between former office holders and their successors, particularly when the latter seek to pursue independent policies or build their own political structures.
In some cases, such disagreements have resulted in political conflicts, defections and legal battles.
Makinde’s statement suggests that he intends to avoid such a relationship with whoever emerges as his successor in 2027.
For now, Makinde said his priority remained the completion of his administration’s mandate and the delivery of projects and programmes that would benefit residents.
He also called on political leaders and citizens to place the interest of the state above personal ambitions as the 2027 elections approach.
The governor said the people deserved leaders who would see public office as an opportunity to serve rather than as a means of controlling others.
With the next governorship election expected to produce a new administration in Oyo State, attention is likely to focus increasingly on the candidates, their programmes and the political structure that will emerge ahead of the polls.
Makinde, however, said whatever happens after 2027, he intends to leave office peacefully and allow his successor to govern without interference.