With my record in Oyo, I’ll win 2027 — Makinde
Oyo Governor Highlights Achievements Ahead of 2027 Election
By Adegboyega Adeleye
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde expressed confidence regarding his prospects in the upcoming 2027 election, attributing it to his administration’s accomplishments. In a recent interview with Arise Television, Makinde cited significant increases in the state’s minimum wage, consistent salary payments, as well as investments in agriculture and infrastructure as key achievements that he believes will resonate with voters.
Makinde, who is also the presidential candidate for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), contrasted his administration’s economic strategies with those of the federal government. He argued that national economic reforms should be evaluated based on their tangible effects on citizens’ daily lives, emphasizing that economic growth means little if it fails to address the basic needs of the population.
“Taking little reforms here and there will not work. If you are saying that things are happening at the macro level but it will filter down to micro, I see these as just excuses and shifting blames,” Makinde said. He pointed out that while the country may boast high economic reserves, this does not alleviate the hunger experienced by many Nigerians.
Under Makinde’s governance, the state’s minimum wage has seen a substantial rise—initially increasing from 18,000 naira to 30,000 naira, and later to between 70,000 and 80,000 naira.
“Since I took office, we have increased the minimum wage significantly,” he explained. “We have never delayed salary payments during my tenure, even throughout the Buhari administration.”
Makinde noted his administration’s efforts to bolster Oyo’s economy through agricultural development and infrastructure investment. The establishment of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency is one such initiative aimed at leveraging the state’s agricultural strengths.
“We recognized our comparative advantage in agriculture and aimed to expand our economy by investing in infrastructure,” he said. The governor stressed that transportation costs significantly impact the cost of living, affecting the movement of goods and services.
Makinde also addressed the lack of transparency in the pricing of petroleum products, questioning the administration’s handling of domestic oil allocation. He suggested that Nigerians could potentially pay less for fuel without jeopardizing the economy.
“I will disclose from day one, transparently, what is the pricing template for petroleum products in Nigeria,” he said, asserting that fuel prices could be lower than current rates.
Furthermore, he highlighted the state’s investment in airport infrastructure as a means to facilitate the export of agricultural produce to international markets.
“Redistributing federal allocations alone will not solve the country’s economic challenges,” Makinde concluded. “We must focus on productivity to overcome these issues.”
