The Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has cautioned traditional rulers in the state to steer clear of partisan politics.
Governor Makinde, who gave the warning on Saturday, during the conferment of an honorary traditional title on him by the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, urged traditional rulers across the state to remain politically neutral.
Governor Makinde and his wife were conferred with the prestigious titles of Ààrẹ Asọ̀lúdẹ̀rọ̀ and Yèyé Ààrẹ Asọ̀lúdẹ̀rọ̀ of Ibarapaland by the Ibarapa Traditional Council.
Addressing a gathering of monarchs, government officials and political stakeholders, the Governor stressed that the traditional institution must remain the common heritage of all citizens regardless of political affiliation. at the event held in Eruwa, in the Ibarapa East local government, the governor maintained that monarchs, who openly support political parties or canvass votes for their candidates risk exposing themselves to avoidable political attacks.
Governor Makinde stated that traditional rulers must be accessible to all political actors seeking their royal blessings rather than openly endorsing candidates contesting elections.
“Traditional rulers across the state must remain politically neutral. Monarchs who openly support political parties or candidates risk exposing themselves to avoidable political attacks.
“Traditional rulers must remain accessible to all political actors seeking royal blessings rather than openly endorsing any candidate.” He stated.
Describing the honour as “epoch-making”, the Governor expressed appreciation to the Oba Adegbola and the people of Ibarapaland, noting that it was the first chieftaincy title he had accepted in Oyo State.
“This recognition from Ibarapaland, where my political journey began, is a call to greater responsibility. It will further strengthen my commitment to the development of this zone and Oyo State at large,” he stated.
He also expressed readiness to intensify nationwide consultations in furtherance of his presidential ambition.
Providing updates on key projects in the area, Governor Makinde assured residents that the Ido–Eruwa Road would be commissioned in December 2026, noting the road is central to his administration’s roadmap of connecting all geo-political zones of the state for economic growth and integration.
On the Eruwa Farm Settlement, the Governor said the payment of N14.5 billion counterpart funding to the African Development Bank would clear existing financial bottlenecks and ensure the commencement of the first phase of the project before the end of his tenure.
Responding to the request for the upgrade of the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora to a university, governor Makinde said the request is already before the Oyo State House of Assembly for necessary evaluation based on its financial implications, noting that Ibarapaland deserves a university campus.
Earlier in his address, the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Adegbola, described the conferment as a historical recognition of Governor Makinde’s giant strides in infrastructure, human capital development and good governance.
