I’ll choose competence over party — Makinde speaks on successor

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that competence and capacity, rather than political party affiliation, will determine who succeeds him in office, stressing that the future of Oyo State must be placed above partisan considerations.

Makinde made the statement during the 2026 Oyo State International Tourism Summit held in Ibadan, where government officials, traditional rulers, investors, tourism stakeholders, and development experts gathered to discuss strategies for strengthening tourism and economic growth in the state.

The governor emphasised the need for continuity in governance, strong institutional frameworks, and long-term planning as critical factors for sustainable development.

According to him, development can only be sustained when governments deliberately create systems capable of surviving beyond a single administration.

“I am not looking at political party when it comes to the future of Oyo State,” Makinde said. “What matters to me is competence, capacity and the ability to move this state forward. We must place the interest of Oyo State above politics.”

The governor explained that private sector investment can only flourish in an environment where policies, projects, and development frameworks are protected from political disruptions.

He lamented that many laudable projects across Nigeria collapse because incoming administrations often abandon programmes initiated by their predecessors.

“One of the major problems we have in this country is the lack of continuity,” he stated. “Successive governments come in and dismantle projects simply because they were not initiated by them. That approach discourages investors and slows down development.”

Makinde noted that his administration is deliberately institutionalising governance processes in Oyo State to ensure continuity regardless of who occupies office in the future.

“We are not just building projects; we are building institutions,” he said. “We are creating frameworks that align agencies, guide decision-making and ensure that development does not depend on one individual.”

The governor further stressed that tourism development requires long-term commitment, policy stability, and investor confidence, adding that Oyo State’s tourism vision is structured to endure for decades.

Former Ekiti State Governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kayode Fayemi, who spoke at the summit, commended Makinde for the various developmental strides recorded across Oyo State and praised the government’s 25-year tourism master plan.

Fayemi described the master plan as a bold and strategic roadmap capable of transforming Oyo State into a leading tourism destination in Nigeria and West Africa.

According to him, sustainable tourism development can only thrive when governments establish strong institutional structures capable of protecting investments from political instability.

“Tourism development cannot survive on rhetoric alone,” Fayemi said. “You must build strong concession arrangements and institutional frameworks that will protect investments beyond political transitions.”

He further applauded the Makinde administration for focusing on long-term planning and governance continuity rather than short-term political gains.

Also speaking, the Oyo State Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Wasiu Olatunbosun, alongside the Director-General of the Oyo State Investment and Public Private Partnership Agency, Tilewa Folami, stated that the tourism foundation currently being established in the state is designed to guarantee consistency, coordination, disciplined execution, and sustainable growth.

They explained that the government has already identified and prioritised key tourism assets while also developing institutional frameworks and concession models aimed at attracting long-term investments.

“Oyo State has established institutional coordination, prioritised major tourism assets and demonstrated early execution through strategic concessions,” they said. “What is being built is a sustainable tourism ecosystem designed for long-term impact.”

The Director-General of the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Social Economic Development (OYMASED) also stressed the importance of governance stability in attracting investors.

“When governance is stable and institutional structures are in place, investors gain confidence, government gains alignment and projects enjoy continuity,” he stated.

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Renowned filmmaker Kunle Afolayan equally commended Makinde for creating what he described as an enabling environment for tourism and the creative industry in the state.

Afolayan disclosed that his film village has benefited significantly from the administration’s supportive policies and infrastructural development.

“The environment created by this administration has helped creative businesses grow,” he said. “Our film village has benefited immensely from the support and infrastructure being provided by the government.”

Earlier in her opening remarks, Secretary of the Organising Committee, Abigail Anaba, noted that government alone cannot build a thriving tourism economy.

According to her, the responsibility of government is to provide direction, structure, and opportunities that encourage private sector participation and sustainable investment.

“Government cannot build a tourism economy alone,” she said. “Its responsibility is to create clarity of direction, structure and opportunity that allows stakeholders and investors to thrive.”