Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has stepped up his criticism of opposition figures ahead of the 2027 governorship election, questioning the experience, policy proposals and administrative capacity of some of those seeking to succeed him.
Speaking while defending the record of his administration, Makinde contrasted his team with what he described as the credentials and proposals being presented by some opposition candidates.
> “If you like, vote for someone who calls himself a lawyer but has never handled a case before. Another one said he would create a Ministry of ‘Kokoro Alate.’ Governance is a serious business, not a place to joke.”
Makinde also highlighted the professional backgrounds of members of his administration, stressing that his government has brought together individuals with academic and professional qualifications.
“You can see a team standing in front of you. Me, I am an engineer, a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. Our SSG is a professor and an economist. The Head of Service has a PhD and so on,” he said.
His comments came amid growing political activity in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election. The All Progressives Congress has already unveiled Senator Sharafadeen Alli as its governorship candidate, with Adesoji Adedeji as his running mate.
Alli, a lawyer and former public office holder, has served as Executive Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Secretary to the Oyo State Government and Chief of Staff under former Governor Rashidi Ladoja. He currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly. His official biography states that he practised law in Ibadan between 1988 and 1991 before moving deeper into public service.
One of the issues raised by Makinde concerned Alli's record in previous public office.
“One said he has been Chairman before; let him tell us what he achieved when he was Chairman,” the governor said, challenging his political opponents to place their previous records before voters for scrutiny.
Education has also emerged as a major area of debate in the emerging 2027 contest. Alli has proposed limiting class sizes in public primary and secondary schools to 30 pupils, arguing that overcrowded classrooms undermine effective learning. He has also promised free learning materials and increased education funding.
Makinde questioned how such a proposal would affect teacher recruitment and government expenditure, asking how reducing the number of pupils per classroom would influence the number of teachers required and, consequently, the state's wage bill.
“There’s no administration that has employed teachers like ours,” Makinde said.
Available government records show that teacher recruitment has been a significant feature of his administration. In 2026, the state said about 12,000 teachers had resumed in public primary and secondary schools to address manpower shortages. The government also announced the recruitment of 5,000 teachers and the conversion of 700 non-teaching staff into the teaching cadre.
The education debate therefore reflects a broader question that is likely to dominate the 2027 campaign: how should Oyo State balance smaller class sizes, teacher recruitment, salaries, infrastructure and sustainable education funding?
For supporters of the governor, Makinde's remarks amount to a defence of his administration's record and professional team. Some supporters have consequently praised him for directly responding to opposition criticisms after what they describe as a period of relative restraint.
Comments from his supporters included: “The governor is saying the fact and nothing more but facts. I pray our people will not miss the golden opportunity to further enhance the growth of Oyo State and move it forward to greater heights, IJN.”
Another supporter declared: “APM mandate, we stand.”
Others added: “I love Seyi Makinde; he always has a great reply for every opposition candidate,” while another wrote: “I love Seyi. When he responds, always fire for fire. They have been making noises all this while; he just stayed calm for them.”
With the 2027 contest taking shape, the exchange signals an increasingly policy- and record-focused political battle in Oyo State, with education, governance experience, public-sector management and previous achievements likely to remain central to the debate.
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