Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday defended his administration’s decision to work with individuals linked to the opposition All Progressives Congress, insisting that competence and loyalty to the state remain the major criteria for political collaboration and governance under his leadership.
Makinde spoke at the University of Ibadan during an interaction that quickly stirred fresh political conversations around succession plans ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
The governor addressed criticisms trailing the increasing visibility of some APC-linked technocrats and political figures within his administration, particularly Bimbo Adekanmbi and Dr Morohunkola Thomas, both of whom have recently been mentioned in political discussions surrounding the future leadership of the state.
Responding to concerns that his government appeared to be grooming politicians with APC backgrounds, Makinde said governance should never be reduced to party colouration if capable individuals are available to contribute to development.
“When Morohunkola Thomas was talking, he said after Seyi Makinde there should be Bimbo Adekanmbi continuity and people started saying all of them have APC backgrounds,” the governor said.
“And people said, ‘Oh Seyi, you cannot mentor someone in the seven years you have been in government that can take over from you that doesn’t have the taint of APC.’”
Makinde dismissed the criticism, arguing that effective governance requires the inclusion of competent professionals irrespective of political affiliation. According to him, his administration remains focused on performance, capacity and commitment to Oyo State rather than partisan identity.
“For us, if you are from Oyo State and you are loyal to Oyo State and you have the capacity, we will tap you to support the development of Oyo State,” he stated.
The governor also stressed that his government already accommodates individuals from diverse political and professional backgrounds who are contributing to the state’s development agenda.
“For every Thomas, there is Segun Ogunwuyi. For every Adekanmbi, there is Prof. Babatunde. We are blind to party colouration, we are open to capacity that can move Oyo State forward,” he added.
Makinde’s remarks come at a time political alignments are beginning to shape discussions ahead of the 2027 elections in Oyo State, where debates over succession and political continuity have intensified within both the Peoples Democratic Party and the APC.
The governor, who won re-election in 2023 after defeating candidates of the APC and other opposition parties, has continued to position himself as one of the influential figures within the PDP in the South-West.
His administration has also repeatedly projected itself as technocratic and performance-driven, especially in sectors such as infrastructure, education, agribusiness and healthcare. Political observers say that posture partly explains his willingness to work across party lines, particularly with technocrats and policy experts who may not necessarily belong to the PDP.
The mention of Adekanmbi during the discussion has further fuelled speculation over possible governorship aspirants being considered ahead of 2027. Adekanmbi, a former Chief of Staff to late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, has remained politically visible in Oyo State despite changes in party power dynamics.
Similarly, Morohunkola Thomas, a former commissioner under the APC administration, has also maintained a strong voice in policy and political debates within the state.
Makinde’s comments are expected to generate mixed reactions across party lines, especially among loyalists who believe succession planning within the PDP should prioritise longstanding party members.
However, analysts say the governor may be signalling a broader political strategy aimed at building alliances beyond traditional partisan blocs as political calculations for 2027 gradually gather momentum in Oyo State.
With less than two years before the next governorship race fully dominates the political space, conversations around who succeeds Makinde are already becoming one of the defining issues shaping elite political discussions in the state.
