Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called on governorship candidates preparing for the 2027 election to stop making his administration the target of their campaigns, arguing that he will not be on the ballot and their energy is therefore misplaced.

Makinde made the remarks on Monday at the Hijrah 1448/2026 luncheon held at the Banquet Hall, Agodi Gate, Ibadan, where he acknowledged his own shortcomings but said he had given the role his best effort.

The governor noted:

"I have seen several guber candidates talking around and abusing me. I don't know why. I have done my best, and I am no longer contesting as the governor of the state. They should rather abuse Hon. Bimbo Adekanbi and stop abusing me in those places; I wasn't perfect."

Makinde calls for issue-based campaigns

The governor, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term, said political campaigns should be built on ideas and concrete proposals rather than personal attacks on someone who is leaving office.

He urged the candidates to explain to Oyo voters what problems they intend to solve and how they plan to tackle the challenges currently facing the state. His administration, he said, should be assessed on its record, while those seeking to replace him should be measured against the policies and programmes they are willing to commit to.

Makinde also addressed voters directly, encouraging them to put hard questions to governorship candidates about their plans before deciding who deserves their support in 2027.

The governor said he had no intention of positioning himself as a political godfather to whoever succeeds him in office, adding that the final decision on who leads Oyo State next rests entirely with the people of the state.

His comments come as political activity in Oyo State picks up significantly ahead of the 2027 governorship election. What is Makinde contesting for in 2027 Governor Makinde will be rounding up his second term in office in 2027.

He is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the 2027 general election. The outgoing governor will be contesting against President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), among others.

Makinde speaks on Oyo abduction

Legit.ng earlier reported that Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the May 15, 2026 abduction of students and teachers in Oriire LGA. Makinde said allegations that his administration orchestrated the kidnapping made it even more necessary to establish the facts through an independent inquiry.

The commission's chairman, retired Justice Mojeed Owoade, said the panel would be guided strictly by facts and may request an extension beyond the four-week deadline.

See the video of the governor's address on X here:

"Stop campaigning with my name, stop abusing me. I'm not the one contesting to be the next Governor of Oyo State" - Governor Seyi Makinde responds to Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat pic.twitter.com/tEjJn6GsKn

— Oyo Affairs (@Oyoaffairs) August 10, 2026