Makinde secured 2,772 votes at the party’s governorship primary held at the historic Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, formerly Liberty Stadium, in Ibadan, defeating his only rival, Senator Ayo Adeseun, who polled 21 votes.
A total of 2,793 votes were recorded at the primary.
In his acceptance speech shortly after being declared the winner, Makinde described his victory as “bitter-sweet”, saying the outcome came with both excitement and a deep sense of responsibility.
He said the real challenge was the work ahead, particularly his determination to address the difficulties confronting vulnerable residents across the state.
“Good governance is putting people at the centre of development,” Makinde declared, outlining what he described as a people-focused approach to governing Oyo State.
The PDP candidate said his decision to seek the governorship was driven by the desire to provide solutions to problems that had affected the state for years.
He identified five key areas of intervention as agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and security, promising to pursue policies that would have a direct impact on the lives of residents.
Makinde’s Agenda For Oyo
On the economy, Makinde said his administration would seek innovative ways of improving the state’s revenue base without placing additional burdens on residents or discouraging investors.
He also criticised what he described as poor management of the state’s resources, arguing that government spending should be directed towards improving the welfare of citizens.
Education featured prominently in his speech, with Makinde expressing concern over Oyo State’s performance in national examinations.
He cited the 2018 West African Senior School Certificate Examination results, which he said placed Oyo State 26th among the 36 states, as evidence of the challenges facing the education sector.
Makinde promised a renewed commitment to education, including improvements in school infrastructure, staffing, learning materials and teacher motivation.
On healthcare, he said government must do more to provide quality services, particularly for people in rural communities.
He promised better funding for the sector, measures to reduce maternal and child mortality, improved healthcare facilities and efforts to address the migration of health professionals from the state.
Infrastructure, according to Makinde, would also receive attention, particularly road connectivity between urban and rural communities.
He promised to pursue better roads, water supply and electricity connections, including rural electrification, while stressing that maintenance would form part of his administration’s infrastructure policy.
Security was another major component of his proposed agenda. Makinde said his administration would work with communities and law enforcement agencies to develop crime-prevention strategies, provide equipment support and promote stronger cooperation between security personnel and residents.
Agriculture And Youth Employment
The PDP candidate also placed agriculture at the centre of his plans for tackling unemployment and stimulating economic activity.
He proposed low-interest credit facilities for farmers, technical support, subsidised warehousing, improved rural infrastructure, farm access roads, irrigation and better agricultural marketing systems.
Makinde said Oyo State needed to move beyond subsistence farming by developing agro-processing industries.
He proposed the creation of processing clusters across the three senatorial districts, supported by infrastructure, financing, input supply and productivity-enhancement measures.
According to him, such an approach would help create jobs while strengthening the agricultural value chain across the state.
He also promised innovative programmes aimed at empowering young people and promoting social inclusion, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised groups.
Makinde Courts Investors
On investment, Makinde said the state needed to improve its business environment in order to attract more investors.
He referenced World Bank rankings on areas including property registration, starting a business and enforcing contracts, arguing that Oyo State had significant room for improvement.
His administration, he said, would focus on removing obstacles to doing business and positioning Oyo as an attractive investment destination.
‘I Do Not Have A Godfather’
Makinde also addressed questions surrounding political godfathers, insisting that he did not have one.
“To the Great People of Oyo State, I have heard questions about who is my God Father; I do not have one, but I have you, the masses and God the Father!” he said.
He commended Senator Ayoade Adeseun for participating in what he described as a keenly contested and decent primary, expressing his readiness to work with him for the success of the PDP.
Makinde thanked party members for choosing him as the party’s flagbearer and pledged to work towards implementing the plans contained in his campaign agenda.
He ended his acceptance speech with a Yoruba proverb:
“Ti ekun ba pe dale, ayo nbo lo wuro.”
He then declared: “Omituntun ti ru. Igba Otun ti de!”
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