Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has urged traditional rulers across the state to remain neutral in partisan politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde gave the warning on Saturday at the grand finale of the first coronation anniversary of the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola Ajobo Olurin I, in Eruwa.
The event also featured the commissioning of the renovated Eleruwa Palace and the conferment of chieftaincy titles on Makinde and his wife, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde.
According to the governor, traditional rulers should remain accessible to politicians from all political parties and avoid openly identifying with particular candidates, warning that partisan involvement could expose monarchs to unnecessary political attacks.
He advised monarchs to receive politicians who visit their palaces and offer them royal blessings without publicly endorsing any political party or candidate.
Makinde also disclosed that he would intensify nationwide consultations to seek support for his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on development in Ibarapaland, the governor said the Ido Eruwa Road would be commissioned in December as part of his administration’s plan to improve connectivity across Oyo State.
He also disclosed that the state’s payment of N14.5 billion counterpart funding to the African Development Bank would help resolve financial challenges affecting the Eruwa Farm Settlement.
According to him, the funding would facilitate the commencement of the first phase of the farm settlement before the end of his administration.
On the agitation for the conversion of the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, into a university, Makinde said Ibarapaland deserved a university campus.
He, however, said the proposal would be assessed based on its financial implications, noting that the Oyo State House of Assembly had commenced legislative processes on the matter.
The governor also highlighted the inclusion of people from Ibarapaland in key government positions, citing the appointment of Dr. Adenike Fashina as the first Head of Service from the zone.
The Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola Ajobo Olurin I, described the chieftaincy titles conferred on Makinde and his wife as historic and a recognition of their contributions to the state.
He commended the governor’s administration for its development projects and presented additional requests from Ibarapaland.
Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, also commended Makinde for ongoing road projects in the area, describing his administration as the best Ibarapaland had experienced since Nigeria’s return to democracy.
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