Makinde calls for prayers, unity as Oyo succession debate gathers pace

Governor Seyi Makinde has urged residents of Oyo State to focus on unity and prayer as conversations intensify over who will succeed him ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Speaking in Ibadan during a farewell event for intending pilgrims to the 2026 Hajj, the governor addressed growing public discussions around the religious identity of the state’s next leader. He cautioned against framing the succession debate along religious lines, instead encouraging residents to seek divine guidance in choosing a capable successor.

Makinde noted that calls for a Muslim governor have gained traction in some quarters, but stressed that leadership decisions should prioritise competence and continuity rather than religious considerations. According to him, the state’s progress depends on selecting someone who can sustain ongoing reforms and development efforts.

He pointed to recent political trends in the state, highlighting that all three senators currently representing Oyo at the National Assembly are Muslims, a development he said reflects broad-based electoral support across religious divides.

The governor argued that such outcomes demonstrate the importance of cooperation between different faith groups, rather than division. He added that electoral victories in the state have historically relied on collective support from both Muslim and Christian communities.

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Makinde therefore called on residents to maintain harmony and avoid narratives that could deepen divisions, emphasising that peaceful coexistence remains critical to the state’s stability and growth.

With less than two years to the next election cycle, early political signals are beginning to shape the conversation in Oyo, even as the governor insists that unity, not identity politics, should guide the process.