Heightened political tension is emerging within Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration in Oyo State over the absence of a formal directive requiring political appointees with ambitions for elective office to resign.
As of now, several appointees in the state government are understood to be preparing to contest positions in the 2027 general elections, including governorship, senatorial and House of Representatives seats.
A government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed concern over the lack of clear guidance, noting that the approach adopted in 2022, where some appointees reportedly backdated their resignation letters, may prove problematic if repeated.
The source further suggested that the current political climate may not favour such a strategy, citing what was described as increasing pressure from opposing interests, internal divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, and broader challenges that could weaken the governor’s political structure.
According to the source, these factors may create vulnerabilities that could be exploited by rivals, potentially affecting the cohesion and effectiveness of the party’s support base in the state.
In contrast, it was observed that in some other states, governors have already directed appointees intending to contest in the 2027 elections to step down from their positions, in line with political and electoral expectations.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Oyo State Government addressing the issue.
