Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced that he will disclose his preferred successor in January 2026.
He made this declaration on Monday during the 11th Omituntun Ramadan lecture, which took place at the government house arcade in Ibadan.
The event featured a lecture titled Benefits of Being a Good Neighbour: An Islamic Perspective, delivered by Yunus Teliat, the grand chief Imam of Ogbomoland.
Speaking in Yoruba, Makinde expressed gratitude to Muslim leaders for their continued support and urged them to keep praying for his administration.
In a lighthearted remark, he addressed socialite Abbas Oloko, requesting that his billboard at Isale Alfa remain in place, as it would soon display the image of his chosen successor in January 2026.
“By January 2026, political activities will be underway, and I will reveal the person whose picture will appear there,” Makinde stated.
The governor also encouraged Muslims to use the Ramadan season to promote peace and unity, regardless of religious differences.
Having been re-elected in 2023, Makinde is ineligible for another term. However, he has previously indicated his intention to influence the selection of the next governor.
In October 2024, while receiving a report on public service reforms, he stated that he would play a role in determining his successor, particularly within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
