ERUWA — Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has issued a firm note of warning to traditional rulers across the state to remain strictly neutral and refrain from participating in active political contests ahead of the 2027 general elections, emphasizing that any monarch who openly takes sides must be prepared to face direct political attacks without royal immunity.
Speaking on Saturday, September 5, 2026, during the first coronation anniversary of the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola Ajobo Olurin I, in Ibarapaland, Governor Makinde asserted that royal institutions occupy a revered position as fathers to all citizens and should remain accessible to political actors across party lines without offering partisan endorsements.
During the ceremony, where Governor Makinde and his wife, Olayinka, were conferred with the honorary chieftaincy titles of Ààrẹ Asọ̀lúdẹ̀rọ̀ and Yèyé Ààrẹ Asọ̀lúdẹ̀rọ̀ of Ibarapaland, the governor cautioned that monarchs who openly align with political parties strip away the reverence attached to their stools.
Key Takeaways from Governor Makinde’s Address
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Loss of Royal Immunity: Makinde warned that any traditional ruler who acts like a partisan politician will be treated as one during electioneering. “If you want to play politics, then you should be ready to be treated as a politician. But if you want to remain a traditional ruler, then stay away from politics,” he stated.
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Open Door Policy for Palaces: The governor stressed that monarchs must keep their palaces open to provide royal blessings to candidates from all political parties rather than singling out favorites or issuing public endorsements.
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Nationwide Presidential Consultations: Highlighting his broader political engagements under his presidential platform, Makinde declared his readiness to intensify consultations across Nigeria, noting that political actors of diverse affiliations would regularly seek the audience of traditional leaders.
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Ibarapa Development Commitments: Reaffirming his administration’s focus on sub-national infrastructure, Makinde assured residents that the ongoing Ido–Eruwa Road construction project will be commissioned in December 2026. He also disclosed that the state’s ₦14.5 billion counterpart funding to the African Development Bank (AfDB) will unlock phase one of the Eruwa Farm Settlement.
