…As posters flood streets of Ibadan.
An Influential Ibadan traditional leader, Mogaji Olawale Oladoja of Akinsola family has declared his full name support for the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan on Wednesday, Mogaji Oladoja described Governor Makinde as a visionary leader with the competence, character, and national appeal needed to reposition Nigeria for growth and unity. He said Nigeria is in dire need of leaders who can deliver on the promise of democratic dividends, and Makinde, according to him, fits the bill perfectly.
“Governor Makinde has proven beyond reasonable doubt that leadership can be people-oriented, development-driven, and transparent. His track record in Oyo State in the areas of education, infrastructure, security, and economic management speaks volumes. He has shown he can lead at the national level,” Mogaji Oladoja said.
Oladoja emphasized that the South-West region deserves another opportunity to lead Nigeria, and that Makinde’s emergence would be a unifying factor in a time of political and ethnic tensions across the country. He stressed that Makinde’s approach to inclusive governance and youth empowerment has already earned him nationwide recognition.
He urged political stakeholders across party lines to put Nigeria first and support credible individuals like Governor Makinde, who he said has no blemishes of corruption and carries the image of a progressive statesman. “It’s time we looked beyond party affiliations and focus on capacity and integrity,” he noted.
Mogaji Oladoja further called on traditional institutions, youth groups, and civil society organizations to begin early mobilization and civic sensitization in anticipation of 2027. According to him, preparing early would ensure that credible candidates are not edged out by moneybags and political cabals.
While acknowledging the constitutional right of other aspirants, he maintained that Governor Makinde’s calm demeanor, policy consistency, and people-first governance style are rare virtues in Nigeria’s current political climate. He also referenced Makinde’s leadership during COVID-19 and his infrastructure revolution as highlights of his competence.
Oladoja noted that his call is not just based on sentiments of ethnicity or regionalism, but on Governor Makinde’s practical governance results and his capacity to restore the confidence of Nigerians in government. “We must not joke with 2027. Nigeria needs a man of vision, and I believe Governor Makinde is that man,” he added.
He concluded by urging Governor Makinde to consider the call of Nigerians urging him to contest, stating that history is beckoning and the moment is ripe for a new national direction. “Posterity will judge him kindly if he heeds the call to serve at the highest level,” Mogaji Oladoja affirmed.
Governor Seyi Makinde, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is currently serving his second term as Governor of Oyo State. He has not formally declared interest in the 2027 presidential election, but various political groups and stakeholders have continued to mount pressure on him to join the race.
