Breaking: Powerful Nigerian Governor Hands Over Power To Deputy, Reasons Emerge

Breaking: Powerful Nigerian Governor Hands Over Power To Deputy, Reasons Emerge

  • Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde will begin a one-month leave on Friday, 29 August 2025
  • He formally notified the House of Assembly, handing power to Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal
  • Lawal will act as governor until Makinde’s return on 29 September, ensuring governance continuity

Ibadan, Oyo state - Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced that he will proceed on a one-month leave starting Friday, 29 August 2025.

The decision was formally communicated in a letter transmitted to the State House of Assembly and read during Tuesday’s plenary session.

Letter read before assembly

Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde hands over to his deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal.
Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo state, transfers authority to his deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal. Photo credit: @seyiamakinde
Source: Facebook

The House of Assembly speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, who read the letter, confirmed that the governor’s action was in compliance with Section 190(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The section mandates governors to notify their respective assemblies before embarking on official leave, Punch reported.

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Deputy Governor to act in his stead

Governor Makinde, in the letter, handed over the responsibilities of his office to his Deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal, who will serve as Acting Governor throughout the vacation period.

“I hereby transmit that during the period indicated above, the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, shall serve as Acting Governor. I shall resume duty upon my return from vacation on Monday, 29 September 2025,” the letter partly read.

Smooth transition of power assured

Deputy Governor Barrister Bayo Lawal takes charge as Governor Makinde steps aside.
Governor Seyi Makinde cedes power to his deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal. Photo credit: @seyiamakinde
Source: Facebook

The notification underscores a smooth transition of authority and continuity of governance during the governor’s absence, Vanguard reported.

Lawal, who previously acted in the governor’s stead during similar occasions, is expected to oversee state affairs until Makinde’s return.

Makinde and Wike begin rift

In a separate report, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, on Thursday, August 21, said he is not ready to “go low with anyone who decides to go into the gutters.”

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Makinde made this statement while addressing journalists shortly after the South-West zoning consultative summit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held in Lagos.

“Personally, when people go low or go into the gutters, I don’t go with them. Some people are now going into the gutters. We will reach out to them. That is democracy."
“I can disagree with people, but there shouldn’t be anything personal here. It should be about what we are giving to Nigerians because they are watching.”

Speaking further, Makinde added that despite challenges, recent elections had shown that the PDP remained a formidable force.

Katsina gov Radda hands over power to deputy

Previously, Legit.ng reported that the deputy governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, is expected to assume the role of acting governor during this period.

The speaker of the State House of Assembly, Nasiru Yahaya Daura, announced and confirmed the development during Tuesday’s legislative plenary. The governor’s vacation was approved in response to a formal letter addressed to the speaker, which the assembly chief whip, Alhaji Ibrahim Dikko, read before the session.

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In the application, Governor Radda cited Section 190 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which empowers state Houses of Assembly to grant such requests from the executive arm.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ezra Ukanwa avatar

Ezra Ukanwa (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Ezra Ukanwa is a Reuters-certified journalist with over 5 years of professional experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Anchor University, Lagos. Currently, he is the Politics and Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng, where he brings his expertise to provide incisive, impactful coverage of national events. Ezra was recognized as Best Campus Journalist at the Anchor University Communications Awards in 2019 and is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). Contact him at: ezra.ukanwa@corp.legit.ng or +2349036989944

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