The Eleniyan Campaign Organisation (ECO) wishes to remind the people of Oyo State of Governor Seyi Makinde's earlier position on his preferred successor.
In April 2024, Governor Makinde reportedly stated that he would not support any candidate above the age of 52 in his party for the 2027 governorship election.
Today, the Governor is publicly backing Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, who is reported to be 53 years old. At the same time, Dr. Gbemileke Alagbe Eleniyan, the ADC governorship candidate, has been publicly described as a 40-year-old banker. This therefore raises a simple question:
If 52 was the benchmark Governor Makinde set for his successor, what changed?
At 40, Dr. Gbemileke Alagbe is clearly within the youthful generational bracket Governor Makinde once advocated, while the candidate he now supports is above the very threshold he publicly announced and the issue does not stop with age.
Governor Makinde must also explain what happened to his earlier promise and principle regarding power rotation in Oyo State. The people of Oyo State have heard repeated commitments about fairness, equity and the rotation of power. Yet, the current political direction appears to raise serious questions about whether that principle has also been set aside.
If power rotation was a matter of principle, what changed?
If the 52-year age benchmark can change and the principle of power rotation can also be ignored, then the people deserve to know whether these were genuine commitments or merely political promises made for convenience.
We are not saying age or geographical origin should be the only qualification for governor. Competence, capacity, integrity, experience, vision and equity must all matter.
But public promises must also matter.
If the standard has changed, Governor Makinde owes the people of Oyo State an explanation:
1. Has the 52-year age principle been abandoned?
2. Has the promise of power rotation also been abandoned?
3. Or do these principles apply only when politically convenient?
For us, the issue is simple:
Oyo State deserves one standard for everyone, not one standard for an ally and another for an opponent.
Gbemileke Alagbe: 40.
Makinde's stated threshold: 52.
Makinde's earlier promise: Power rotation.
The people are therefore asking:
What changed?
Signed: Eleniyan Campaign Organisation (ECO)