Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja , Nigeria
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has officially declared his intention to run for a second term in office, attributing his decision to persuasive efforts from religious leaders and various stakeholders. Speaking during a special prayer and interactive session organized by the Fathers of Faith in Oyo State, Governor Makinde expressed his gratitude to the Christian community and religious leaders for their counsel, prayers, and unwavering support throughout the year 2023.
Highlighting the crucial role played by the church in his initial election victory, Governor Makinde stressed its significance as a strong pillar supporting his administration.
Truth Live News reports that notable figures present at the event included Reverend (Dr) ‘Supo Ayokunle, the immediate past President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and Reverend (Dr) Israel Akanji, the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
Governor Makinde emphasized that the achievements of his first term, labeled Omituntun 1.0, were realized with divine assistance. Looking ahead to Omituntun 2.0, characterized as the “Roadmap for Sustainable Development, 2023-2027,” he expressed confidence in achieving even greater strides. He assured attendees that the government’s commitment to progress is unwavering.
During the gathering at his Ikolaba GRA residence, the governor conveyed his appreciation for the support received, stating, “This getting together to pray is very important to me. When we have a close gathering like this, I can speak my mind freely without being misquoted.” He took the opportunity to extend Christmas greetings and good wishes for the upcoming year, emphasizing the importance of faith in his political journey.
Reflecting on the achievements of his administration, Governor Makinde declared, “Since after the election, this is the first opportunity I have to say thank you to the Christian body. By faith, we knew we were coming back for a second term. We achieved almost 90 per cent of all we wrote down in our Roadmap for Accelerated Development.”
As he laid out the roadmap for sustainable development in the second term, the governor expressed hope that divine enablement would lead to the accomplishment of over 90 per cent of the outlined goals.
Governor Makinde’s decision to seek re-election is grounded in his commitment to surpassing the achievements of his first term, supported by the guidance and prayers of the religious community.