Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has resumed official duties after his annual leave and extended the state’s wage award for workers by another three months, while also challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate the same constitutional commitment to the transfer of power during periods of absence.
Makinde a
nnounced the extension on Friday at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, shortly after resuming from his annual leave. During his absence, Deputy Governor Barr. Bayo Lawal served as Acting Governor, following the Oyo State House of Assembly’s approval of Makinde’s request for the transfer of authority.
Addressing civil and public servants who welcomed him back, Makinde said the decision to sustain the wage award was informed by the economic pressures facing workers and households. He also assured workers that the state’s transportation subsidy would continue as part of measures aimed at reducing the impact of rising living costs.
The governor subsequently turned attention to the Federal Government, challenging President Tinubu on the issue of constitutional governance and transfer of power. Makinde pointed to Oyo State’s handling of his absence as an example of how executive authority can be formally transferred when a chief executive is unavailable.
The issue has become particularly topical at the federal level following President Tinubu’s three-week annual leave abroad, during which Vice-President Kashim Shettima was also outside Nigeria on official engagements. Reports have noted that the constitutional framework under Section 145 provides for the temporary transfer of presidential functions when the President is on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge his functions.
Makinde’s latest position therefore places the Oyo governor directly at odds with the approach taken by the Tinubu administration on the question of formal transfer of presidential functions, making the issue part of his broader criticism of the Federal Government ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The development comes as Makinde campaigns on the APM platform, with the party having formally opened its presidential campaign office in Abuja earlier this month.
