Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, has expressed his willingness to work again with his former principal, Governor Seyi Makinde, if called upon, declaring that he is pleased with the direction of the current administration in the state.
“I will work with Governor Seyi Makinde again if I’m called upon. I’m happy with what Makinde is doing,” Olaniyan said.
The statement is particularly significant considering the turbulent political history between the two leaders, whose partnership began ahead of the 2019 governorship election but eventually ended in a dramatic political separation.
Olaniyan, a civil engineer and former senior civil servant, emerged as Makinde’s running mate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2019 election. The Makinde-Olaniyan ticket subsequently won the election, with both men assuming office on May 29, 2019.
Olaniyan had previously explained that Makinde approached him to become his running mate and that his decision to accept was driven by a desire for public service and good governance rather than the pursuit of political power.
However, the political relationship between the governor and his deputy deteriorated during their first term. In June 2022, while still serving as Deputy Governor, Olaniyan formally defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), although he maintained at the time that his change of political party did not necessarily affect his official relationship with Makinde.
The disagreement subsequently culminated in impeachment proceedings against Olaniyan. The Oyo State House of Assembly levelled allegations against him, including gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of official duties and insubordination.
On July 18, 2022, Olaniyan was removed from office by the House of Assembly and was subsequently replaced by Barrister Bayo Lawal as Deputy Governor.
Despite the circumstances surrounding his removal, Olaniyan has over time appeared to distinguish his political differences with Makinde from their personal relationship.
In a January 2025 interview with The PUNCH, the former deputy governor described the fundamental problem between them as “irreconcilable differences.” He nevertheless suggested that individuals around the administration contributed significantly to the deterioration of the relationship, alleging that some people repeatedly spoke against him to the governor.
His latest expression of willingness to work with Makinde again therefore represents a notable development in the political relationship between two men who once governed Oyo State together before finding themselves on opposite sides of the political divide.
The statement is even more striking because Olaniyan remains politically associated with the APC and has openly expressed interest in succeeding Makinde as Governor of Oyo State in 2027. In June 2025, he declared his governorship ambition during an APC meeting in Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area, emphasising equity, fairness and the case for Oke-Ogun in the state's political leadership.
Whether his latest remarks should be interpreted merely as an acknowledgement of Makinde’s performance, an indication of improved personal relations, or something with deeper political implications remains open to interpretation.
What is clear, however, is that Olaniyan appears prepared to put the bitterness of their previous political confrontation behind him.
For a former deputy governor who left the PDP, faced impeachment and subsequently joined the opposition APC, publicly declaring that he is happy with Makinde’s performance — and would work with him again if called upon — sends an unmistakable message that, in politics, yesterday’s disagreements do not necessarily determine tomorrow’s alliances.
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