Makinde Cuts Short Leave, Resumes Governorship Amid Olubadan Coronation: Navigating Constitutional Continuity in Oyo State
In a dramatic turn of events, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has officially rescinded his vacation leave ahead of its scheduled end, submitting a fresh notice to the House of Assembly to resume the full functions of his office effective 26 September 2025. This abrupt decision arises against the backdrop of the impending coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and has reignited important questions around the seamless exercise of executive powers, constitutional protocols, and the integrity of state governance.
Background: The Transfer of Power and Constitutional Mandate
Originally, Governor Makinde notified the Oyo State House of Assembly on 26 August 2025 that he would proceed on a one-month vacation spanning 29 August to 29 September 2025. In keeping with Section 190(1) of the 1999 Constitution (which requires a governor to transmit a written notice to the legislature before vacation), he formally handed over the office to Deputy Governor Barrister Bayo Lawal to serve as Acting Governor during his absence. The House of Assembly duly acknowledged this communication, thereby affirming continuity of governance.
As Acting Governor, Barr. Lawal assumed full executive responsibilities from 29 August onward, exercising administrative and political authority in Makinde’s stead. Under the initial arrangement, Makinde’s return to duty was set for 29 September 2025.
Breaking: Makinde Resumes Early to Oversee Olubadan Coronation
However, in a recent development, Makinde submitted a revocation of leave notification, stipulating that he would resume full duties as Governor on 26 September 2025—notwithstanding his initial timetable. The House of Assembly, in plenary session, received and acknowledged this resumption notice. Notably, the Assembly was presided over by its Deputy Speaker Hon. Muhammad Abiodun Fadeyi, acting in place of Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin during the session.
The rationale for the early return is tied to the symbolic and historical importance of the Olubadan coronation, scheduled for 26 September 2025. Makinde’s decision to personally oversee the proceedings underscores how deeply such traditional and cultural events are interwoven with the political life of the state.
Constitutional Implications & Governance Risks
The sequence of events raises a salient legal and administrative question: Can Makinde be recognized once again as Governor absent a fresh legal or parliamentary instrument conferring full gubernatorial powers prior to the original resumption date?
Under typical constitutional interpretation, a governor wishing to return early must transmit a fresh notice of resumption to the legislature (or otherwise signal his intention to reclaim all powers). The Assembly must then formally acknowledge or accept that notice, thereby restoring the governor’s plenary authority. In this case, that formal communication has now been delivered, and the Legislature has acted accordingly, thereby revalidating Makinde’s authority.
That said, had Makinde returned unilaterally without such notice, it could have opened a constitutional void or triggered legal and political disputes over the legitimacy of executive actions taken in that interregnum. The sanctity of the Olubadan coronation—an event of immense cultural and historical gravity—could then have been marred by questions of governmental legitimacy or procedural lapses.
From another angle, the House’s acceptance of the resumption notice reaffirms constitutional continuity and forestalls any ambiguity. The Act of resumption now forms part of the official legislative record, insulating governance from future contestation.
Why This Matters: Preserving Order and Symbolism
The Oyo State government’s decision to cut short the leave is far from mere political theater. In a state where traditional institutions carry weight and symbolism, the seamless alignment of executive authority with cultural ceremony is essential. Any provable fault line in administrative legitimacy during the coronation would damage not just legal optics, but also the dignity and unity of the event.
Moreover, this episode serves as a cautionary lesson in the importance of procedural fidelity—even in apparently routine transfers of power. Adhering tightly to constitutional norms preserves trust, prevents power vacuums, and ensures that excusable flexibility does not become a seedbed for crisis.
Conclusion & Recommendations
The Governor’s early resumption—validated by legislative acknowledgment—means that Makinde is now formally back in full authority as Governor of Oyo State.
The prompt revocation of leave and legislative acceptance have averted potential governance vacuums and mitigated any legal dispute over the legitimacy of state actions.
Nonetheless, this incident underscores how vital it is to maintain airtight constitutional protocols during any power transition, however brief or symbolic.
For future cases, it would behoove governors and deputies to coordinate proactively with the Assembly, avoiding last-minute surprises, and ensuring the re-resumption is crystal clear in the public record.
Above all, the integrity of the Olubadan coronation demands that no constitutional fog overshadows its major symbolic significance.
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