Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that the people — not political godfathers or entitled aspirants — will determine who succeeds him when his tenure ends in 2027.

Speaking in Ibadan on Thursday during the zonal stakeholders’ consultative forum and engagement meeting on the 2026 Budget, Makinde said the era of “politics by entitlement” is over in Oyo State.

“The decision of who becomes the next governor of Oyo rests with all eligible voters,” the governor said. “Oyo State has gone beyond the era of politics based on entitlement or propaganda. The people are now more politically aware and will only support those who have credible plans and proven capacity.”

Reflecting on his political journey before assuming office in 2019, Makinde said leadership must be earned through accountability, not inherited through influence.

“In 2018, when I was consulting to become governor, there was no yardstick to measure me. I had never been a councillor or a local government chairman, but I asked the people to trust me and judge me by my actions,” he said.

Makinde urged politicians in the state to focus on policies and programs that deliver real impact rather than engaging in “empty political theatrics.”

He explained that his administration had followed a clear development roadmap, which citizens could read, evaluate, and use to hold government accountable.

At the 7th Stakeholders Consultative Forum, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to participatory governance, stressing that his administration would continue to engage residents in shaping the state’s annual budget.

He noted that since 2019, the state had adopted a bottom-up approach to planning — one that captures citizens’ priorities.

To strengthen financial management, Makinde said his government had separated the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning from the Ministry of Finance, ensuring transparency and better performance.

According to him, the initiative had already resulted in improved budget performance and measurable economic growth across the state.

The governor also highlighted major infrastructure projects — including the Moniya–Iseyin, Iseyin–Ogbomoso, and Oyo–Iseyin roads — as key drivers of rural development and reduced rural-urban migration.

Makinde pledged to continue fostering an environment that attracts investment and promotes safety, inclusivity, and sustainable growth.

“We are building institutions that will outlive this administration. Oyo State belongs to its people — and they will decide its future,” he added.

Governor Makinde, currently serving his second term, will complete his tenure in 2027. Earlier this month, he had proposed a single five- or six-year term for elected officials across Nigeria, arguing that shorter, focused tenures could improve governance and accountability.