Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that he will not be pressured into choosing his successor based on religious considerations ahead of the 2027 governorship transition, insisting that competence and continuity of good governance must come first.

The governor made the position known on Wednesday, while bidding farewell to 1,036 intending pilgrims embarking on the 2026 Hajj, at the Oyo State Hajj Camp, Olodo, Ibadan, amid growing conversations around the religious identity of his possible successor.

According to him: “I have told those talking about Muslim candidature that we should not be stampeded into taking decisions on the basis of religion and I know they understand me.”

He stressed that religion has never been a divisive factor in Oyo State, noting that families in the state have long accommodated multiple faiths peacefully.

“For us in Oyo State, religion is not an issue. We have all religions in our various families, and we have always coexisted peacefully,” he added.

Makinde acknowledged ongoing political discussions about who would take over leadership in 2027 but maintained that the overriding priority should be sustaining the achievements of his administration.

“There is a lot of discussion going on right now on the choice of who would become the next governor. The conversation going on is about a Muslim being my successor, but I want you to pray that God should choose the person that would sustain the achievements and the good works we are doing in the state.”

“What matters most is that we must stay united. The progress of Oyo State is what is important to us, and I believe God will answer our prayers.”

Reaffirming his stance on unity, the governor said Oyo State would continue to resist any attempt to sow division along religious lines.

“In Oyo State, we are all one. We won’t allow religion to divide us. I charge the intending pilgrims to pray for our state and country when they get to the Holy Land, because this is the period leading to the next election, and a new set of leaders would emerge.“

“Whatever decision we make, we will have to live with it for the next four years. So, I want you to pray for our state and country.”

He urged the intending pilgrims to use the spiritual exercise to seek divine guidance for Oyo State and Nigeria, especially as the electioneering period approaches, encouraging them to remain exemplary representatives of the state.

“We have been extremely lucky in Oyo State, because our pilgrims have always been different; they have always been good ambassadors of the state.

“So, for the ease of the Hajj operations, I will give a new bus to the Oyo State pilgrims in the Holy land. I will also donate another one for the use of the Board here.

“On this note, I want to congratulate the intending pilgrims and wish you a safe journey.”

The governor further promised to complete an ongoing mosque project and donate two buses, one for the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) and another to aid the movement of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, the Chairman of the board, Wahab Atere, said 1,036 intending pilgrims from the state would perform the Hajj, adding that all logistics, including visas and accommodation, had been secured, with airlifting scheduled to begin from May 3, 2026.

In their goodwill messages, the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, and a former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu, commended Makinde for his continued support for the Muslim community and urged the pilgrims to remain focused and devoted.