Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said the old guard must give way to new political ideologies, ahead the 2027 presidential election.
He stated that what the country needed were ideologies that would keep politics in its proper place, while governance was prioritised.
Makinde stated this in his bi-monthly newsletter, The Business of Governance, No 112 | April 2025.
While admitting that the next presidential election will not hold until about two years’ time, the governor said now was the best time to begin to prepare for the journey ahead.
Governor Makinde also emphasised that the last two years have been difficult for the country and Nigerians as a whole.
“Decisions have been made – some ill-timed, others ill-conceived and they have inadvertently brought us to where we are today as a nation.
“It is time for another reset.
“Time to reflect once again on what is best for our country.
“This is why all forward-thinking Nigerians must begin to seek out the best alternative, one that will restore our collective trust in democracy and once again place our nation on the path to prosperity,” he said.
Makinde said Nigerians have tested the All Progressive Congress (APC) experiment, adding that they should be able to assess how they have fared under the ruling party.
“After ten years, it is clear which political party has the temperament to foster economic growth and development.
“Nigerians must now decide whether the so-called “corruption” that was said to be killing Nigeria under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has truly died or whether it has instead been fertilised and reborn.
“If there has ever been a time in our nation’s history when it is critical to take an interest in our political future, it is now,” he said.
Ahead the 2027 presidential election, the governor was emphatic as he declared: “It is time for a shift.
“The old guard must give way to new political ideologies – ideologies that keep politics in its proper place while governance is prioritised.
“After all, politics takes up less than a year in our political cycle, while governance spans three years or more,” he said.
Governor Makinde reaffirmed his promise to the people of Oyo State. “I will continue to serve you diligently until 29 May 2027. I will not be distracted.
“Many have asked me: After you, who? My answer remains the same: All will be revealed in due course.
“For now, our focus is on assessing our performance in the first two years of this renewed mandate: identifying where we have made progress, where we need to do more, and putting the right structures in place to ensure that the next two years are our best yet.
“It has always been about you, the people. And that is why I come back to you with this question: What changes would you like to see in governance over the next two years? How can we make things better?
“I am always eager to hear from you. So write to me, and I will do my best to respond to as many messages as I can.
“Talk to you again soon,” Governor Makinde stated in the newsletter.
