Local government leaders throughout Oyo State have publicly urged State lead representative Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to run for president in 2027, a practice that has become common among the nation’s political leaders and groups. They claim that Makinde’s style makes him the kind of national transformational figure Nigeria needs.
As supervisory council members, chiefs of staff to council chairmen, secretaries to local governments, and special assistants from all 33 local government areas gathered at the Oyo State Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, on Tuesday for a solidarity rally in support of the governor’s possible candidacy, the call was made.
Governor Makinde’s deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal, met the sizable group of officials and appointees at the front of the Governor’s Office on his behalf, according to a statement made by Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor.
The council officials, who described Makinde as “a symbol of purposeful leadership,” said the state lead representative had demonstrated the capacity to rebuild Nigeria’s economy and improve citizens’ welfare if given the chance to lead at the federal level.
Speaking on behalf of the group was Mr. Ayodeji Oladepo, chairman of the Oyo State Supervisory Councillors’ Forum.
Responding to the rally, Deputy State Lead Representative Bayo Lawal thanked the supporters for what he described as a genuine show of solidarity, adding that State Lead Representative Makinde was “eminently qualified” to lead Nigeria.
Makinde, who is presently in his second term as State Lead Representative, has not yet publicly stated whether he plans to follow through on the calls to run for higher office in 2027.
