2027: Makinde Urges Civil Servants to Vote Wisely to Sustain Reforms

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has urged civil and public servants in the state to make informed choices during the 2027 general elections to protect ongoing administrative reforms, worker welfare programs, and productivity initiatives.
​Makinde, who is also the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), made the call on Wednesday during the combined 2026 Public Service Week and 2025 Merit Award Celebration held at the Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University College Hospital, Ibadan.
​The event, which celebrated excellence across government agencies, saw 57 outstanding officers and sports winners honored.
​In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, the governor described his seven-and-a-half-year partnership with the state workforce as an honor, crediting civil servants for helping his administration navigate early governance challenges and fulfill its development agenda.
​“Our administration started this award because we saw the need to encourage our civil and public servants to give their best,” Makinde said. “It has been a huge honor and privilege to work with you to implement our vision for Oyo State, from the Roadmap for Accelerated Development 2019–2023 till now.”
​“I am using this period to urge both civil and public servants in the state to make the right choice in the 2027 general elections to sustain the reforms, welfare initiatives, and productivity-driven programs introduced by this administration.”
​He congratulated the award recipients, urging them to mentor their peers, while encouraging unrewarded workers to stay dedicated under the promise that hard work would continue to be recognized.
​Praise and Demands from Civil Service Leadership
​Key figures across state administration praised Makinde’s merit-based policies while addressing ongoing labor needs:
​Head of Service, Adenike Fashina: Commended the governor for maintaining regular salary payments, executing promotion exercises, and restoring the ₦25,000 wage award. She also appealed for expanded welfare measures to cushion transportation and housing costs for workers.
​Secretary to the State Government, Musibau Babatunde & Civil Service Commission Chairman, Kamorudeen Aderibigbe: Praised the institutionalization of merit-based recruitment across state ministries.
​Keynote Speaker, Prof. Oyesoji Aremu (UI): Described the week as a moment for renewal, calling on public servants to focus on mentorship and institution-building.
​Top Institutional Honors
​At the awards ceremony:
​Most Outstanding Agency: Office of the Surveyor-General
​Most Outstanding Institution (2025): Emmanuel Alayande University of Education
​The event drew high-profile state leaders, including Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, former Deputy Governor Hamid Gbadamosi, Oyo State Chief Judge Justice Iyabo Yerima (represented by Justice R. B. Akintola), Speaker of the House of Assembly Adebo Ogundoyin (represented by Sunkanmi Babalola), labor union leaders, and cabinet members.