The Oyo Political Equity Forum has accused governor Seyi Makinde of reneging on an alleged understanding to support a Muslim as his successor in the 2027 governorship election.
The group claimed that the agreement was reached during a meeting with religious leaders in Ogbomoso ahead of Makinde’s re-election campaign.
The allegation comes amid growing speculation that the governor may have settled for Bimbo Adekanmbi as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship race in Oyo State.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the forum’s coordinator, Alhaji Rafiu Akinwale, urged Makinde to honour the alleged agreement in order to prevent political tension and mistrust among stakeholders.
Akinwale said the Ogbomoso meeting was attended by prominent religious and political figures, including the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland and a former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Oyo State.
“We are reminding governor Seyi Makinde of the understanding reached at the Ogbomoso meeting before his re-election,” Akinwale said.
“At that gathering, influential Muslim and Christian leaders were present, and there was a clear assurance that a Muslim would succeed him in 2027.
“The governor must not allow politics of personal interest or pressure from certain camps to derail what many stakeholders considered a gentleman’s agreement built on fairness, inclusion and religious balance.”
The forum, however, insisted that its position should not be interpreted as an attempt to promote division or religious politics, stressing that it was only demanding fairness and consistency.
The group warned that abandoning the alleged agreement could trigger dissatisfaction among political and religious stakeholders in the state.
“We are not fighting anybody or opposing anyone’s ambition,” the group added.
“But agreements and political commitments should be respected. Oyo State belongs to everyone, and trust remains essential in leadership.”
