BY AHMED AKANBI
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, has warned traditional rulers across the state to steer clear of partisan politics, saying monarchs who openly endorse parties or candidates risk dragging their stools into avoidable political battles.
Makinde issued the caution at the weekend in Eruwa during the grand finale of the first coronation anniversary of Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola Ajobo Olurin I, the Eleruwa of Eruwa, which also featured the commissioning of the newly renovated Eleruwa Palace and conferment of chieftaincy titles on the governor and his wife, Tamunominini Makinde.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, and the governor confirming intensified nationwide consultations for his presidential ambition, he stressed that royal fathers must remain fathers to all, and be accessible to every political actor seeking blessings.
Makinde, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, thanked the Ibarapaland Traditional Council for honouring him and his wife as Ààrẹ Asọ̀lúdẹ̀rọ̀ and Yèyé Ààrẹ Asọ̀lúdẹ̀rọ̀ of Ibarapaland, describing the titles as a call to greater service, and noted it was his first chieftaincy title in Oyo State.
On infrastructure, the governor announced that the Ido–Eruwa Road would be commissioned in December, in line with his administration’s plan to link all geo-political zones in Oyo.
He also said the payment of N14.5 billion counterpart funding to the African Development Bank (AfDB) has cleared bottlenecks for the Eruwa Farm Settlement, with the first phase expected to commence before the end of his tenure.
On education, Makinde said Ibarapaland deserves a university campus, informing that the request to upgrade Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo-Ora to a university is receiving attention, with the House of Assembly already working on it, but added that financial implications would determine the final decision.
The governor highlighted improved representation for the zone, including the appointment of Dr (Mrs) Adenike Fashina as the first Head of Service from Ibarapaland.
The Eleruwa of Eruwa described the chieftaincy conferment as “epoch making” and presented development requests from the zone.
Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Debo Ogundoyin, described the Makinde administration as the best Ibarapaland has experienced since 1999.
Dignitaries at the event included representatives of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, commissioners, local government chairmen, and lawmakers, among others.