Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, had clarified that the recent removal of Professor Olanike Adeyemo as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) was a routine decision.
He made the clarification during the swearing in of the the newly-appointed SSG, Professor Musibau Babatunde, on Monday.
The governor assured that his administration would finish strong by delivering on its commitment to good governance and sustainable development.
Recalled that Governor Makinde had, on 5 January, 2026, sacked Professor Adeyemo as the SSG and immediately announced Professor Babatunde as her replacement.
Speaking on speculations surrounding the removal of Professor Adeyemo as the SSG, the governor said it was a routine decision, noting that she did not do anything wrong.
“People have been asking me what the former SSG did that made me to relieve her of her appointment. Well, she did not do anything. It is just that the cycle is seasonal.
“It is like you are on a farm, and in the beginning, you need people who can plant. After everything has germinated and produced fruits, you need harvesters. So, that is just it.”
Speaking after the administration of oath of office and signing of the oath of office book, Makinde said Babatunde has been with him for years, and understood the working of the government.
He noted that Babatunde’s appointment as SSG was based on his experience and not religion or geo-political zone that he belongs to, charging him to use his experience to ensure the smooth running of the system and to weld the administration together.
He said Babatunde, a professor of Economics at the University of Ibadan, was one of the few people that supported and believed in his political vision before he became the governor of the state in 2019.
Governor Makinde also eulogised the new SSG for his effort in leading the team that designed the Oyo State Roadmap for Accelerated Development (2019-2023), despite not having any political interest.
Makinde charged the new SSG to foster unity within the government team, while urging all officials to avoid internal conflicts and distractions, and to remain focused on the mandate given by the people of Oyo State.
He said: “Thank you for your commitment to Oyo State. Let me also say thank you to our traditional rulers for your support, because you are major stakeholders.
“People have been saying to us that, well, you have started well and are doing well and I felt that is not the end of the equation. Though we started well, we must finish strong.”
Talking about succession, Makinde said, “We will put a proposal to the Oyo State people on how to continue on this trajectory. If they don’t like it, they can tell us they want a different trajectory.
“But I will prepare a team that I know that, at the end of the day, with me not being on this seat, Oyo State can continue to thrive.
“So, we have seen that we can put a team together. These are experienced people, because they have spent close to seven years together. This is one appointment whose foundation is about finishing strong.”
Speaking with newsmen immediately after his swearing-in, Professor Babatunde pledged to ensure efficient and effective service delivery through improved coordination of government activities.
The new SSG also assured residents that the government would adopt a more coordinated approach to policy implementation, with a focus on delivering tangible outcomes that positively impact citizens.
