Gov. Makinde hands over power to deputy; details emerge

The Oyo State House of Assembly has approved Governor Seyi Makinde’s request to proceed on annual leave, paving the way for Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal to assume office as Acting Governor during the period.

The approval was granted during Thursday’s plenary after lawmakers considered a formal letter from Governor Makinde, submitted in line with constitutional provisions requiring a governor to notify the state legislature before embarking on an official absence.

According to the letter, the governor will commence his annual leave on Monday, August 10, 2026, and is expected to return on September 14 after the leave ends on September 11.

Deputy Speaker Muhammed Fadeyi, who presided over the session in the absence of Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, read the governor’s correspondence before the House. The lawmakers unanimously approved the request.

With the approval, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal will oversee the day-to-day administration of the state as Acting Governor throughout the governor’s absence, ensuring continuity in governance and the implementation of government policies.

Speaking after the approval, Fadeyi wished Governor Makinde a peaceful and refreshing leave, while expressing confidence in Lawal’s ability to provide effective leadership during the period.

He also reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to maintaining a cordial working relationship with the executive arm of government, noting that Oyo State’s governance would continue without interruption.

Other lawmakers commended Governor Makinde for complying with constitutional requirements by formally notifying the House before proceeding on leave, describing the move as a demonstration of his respect for democratic principles, constitutional governance and the rule of law.

The House subsequently directed that its resolution approving the governor’s leave be formally communicated to the executive arm for implementation.

The development comes shortly after the Federal High Court ruled in favour of the Oyo State Government in a suit involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court set aside the anti-graft agency’s request seeking extensive financial records from the state government, holding that the EFCC could not embark on a blanket investigation without linking its request to specific allegations.

Justice Maha ruled that although the EFCC has statutory powers to request information for investigative purposes, such requests must be reasonable and based on identifiable complaints rather than broad demands covering all government contracts and payments.

The judgment followed a June 2, 2025 request by the EFCC seeking records of contracts awarded by the Oyo State Government and payments made to contractors from 2021 onward.

Meanwhile, Governor Makinde had earlier declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Announcing his ambition during a political rally in Ibadan in May, the governor said the time had come to “reset Nigeria” and unveiled a political alliance between his PDP faction in Oyo State and the APM ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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