Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has revealed that his administration has initiated a structured transition process ahead of the 2027 governorship election, confirming that credible individuals have been engaged as part of efforts to ensure a smooth and transparent succession.
Makinde made this known in his April 2026 newsletter (No. 136) titled *“The Business of Governance,”* obtained in Ibadan, where he assured residents that a final decision on the process would be communicated at the appropriate time. According to him, the consultations are designed to reflect both the progress achieved under his administration and the need to secure the state’s future.
“We have engaged with a number of credible individuals as part of a deliberate transition process, and I will communicate a decision in due course, one that reflects both the progress we have made and the future we must secure,” the governor stated.
As part of the arrangement, a council led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Bolaji Ayorinde, has been mandated to interact with all governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and provide recommendations on a suitable candidate to sustain the administration’s development agenda under the “Omituntun 3.0” initiative.
Findings indicate that the process was deliberately structured to give all aspirants equal opportunity to present their plans and ideas, ensuring a level playing field. Among those who have responded are Adedeji Olajide, Nureni Adeniran, Bimbo Adekanmbi, Debo Akande, and Adebo Ogundoyin, among others.
The governor acknowledged growing public interest in the state’s political future, noting that residents are closely observing developments surrounding the transition and are concerned about continuity, leadership, and policy direction. While he did not specify a date for the announcement of the preferred candidate, Makinde had earlier indicated that the party’s flagbearer could emerge through a consensus process expected around April 8.
Beyond the succession plan, Makinde raised concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria, warning against the potential drift toward a one-party system. He said he would engage stakeholders across various sectors in the coming days to deliberate on how to strengthen the nation’s democratic space in an inclusive, lawful, and sustainable manner.
“I do not believe Nigeria has reached a point of no return, but I do believe we are at a point where silence, indifference, or withdrawal could take us in a direction we may later struggle to reverse,” he said, stressing that democracy thrives on plurality, accountability, and the presence of diverse voices.
Makinde pointed to developments within the Peoples Democratic Party, the African Democratic Congress, as well as recent positions by the Independent National Electoral Commission and the judiciary as issues raising critical concerns about the country’s democratic trajectory.
He lamented that some Nigerians have begun to withdraw from civic engagement due to a perceived lack of impact, warning that such apathy could weaken democratic institutions. According to him, a healthy democracy depends on balance, credible opposition, and strong institutions that inspire public confidence.
The governor further cautioned that when opposition voices are weakened or sidelined, accountability suffers, making it more difficult to address everyday governance challenges. He urged citizens and leaders alike to remain actively engaged in safeguarding democratic values, emphasizing that democracy can only be sustained through participation, vigilance, and insistence on institutional accountability.
