The Aare Isese of Oyo State, Chief Omikunmi Egbelade, has described the administration of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde as an inclusive one that gives every group a sense of belonging while ensuring equity among the diverse people and interests in the state.
Egbelade, who is also the Baba Yemoja, said this in an interview with The People’s Verdict.
According to him, “Makinde has been running an inclusive administration. Despite being a Christian, he has given adequate recognition to all religions. He does not discriminate against any religion. It is during this Makinde administration that Oyo State is really experiencing full independence. We, traditional religion worshippers, were despised by former administrations in this state.”
He added, “While Makinde was campaigning, he promised to recognise Isese Day and make it a work-free day. This he has fulfilled. Makinde is a promise keeper. This gladdens our hearts to the extent that if he wants to be governor eight times all traditional religion adherents will support him.
“There is a world of difference between how we, traditional religion adherents, were treated by previous administrations and how Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has been treating and relating with us. Going back to even the Western Region era, there has not been an administration like that of Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde; his era is completely different from what we had been experiencing. It is for this reason that we, at the last Isese Day celebration on August 20, 2025, gave him the name, ‘Orisaseyi Omimakinde’.”
Going into specifics on how Makinde has been supportive of traditional religion worshippers, the Aare Isese said, “Before Makinde’s advent, whenever there was an event and there was to be a prayer session, Isese people were neither recognized nor allowed to offer prayers. But since the coming of Governor Makinde, the story has changed. Now, not only do we get invited to state events, we are fully recognized and we are allowed to offer prayers. That means a great deal to us. It is a thing of joy for our people.”
Chief Egbelade said the recognition given traditional religion worshippers by the government has fostered unity among different religious groups in the state.
His words: “All of us; Muslims, Christians and traditional worshippers have become friends. During the ground breaking ceremony of Ijaiye Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone on August 2, 2025, Muslims offered their own prayers and so did the Christians, after which we, the traditional worshippers, offered our own prayers. We all sat together. After the prayers, right in front of the governor, the three of us embraced. We then told the governor that ‘You can see that we are friends.’ The recognition given us by Makinde has curbed religious crisis in Oyo State. He has also, by extension, curbed thuggery. Now in Oyo State, there is peaceful co-existence amongst people of different religious persuasions.”
But the priest has a concern:
“My only worry is that we hope that the governor’s successor would be like him, by allowing people to practise their religions without let or hindrance. I hope that the next governor would not turn different religious groups against one another. Look at the distribution of palliatives; it was divided into three. They gave to Muslims and Christians without leaving us traditional worshippers out. Makinde should be given the title of ‘The Light of the World’ because he has brought light to Oyo State.”
On the benefits the recognition being enjoyed by traditionalists have brought to the state, he said, “During the celebration of Sango Festival, people come from different parts of the world to participate in it.
Similarly, during the Yemoja Festival, people come from different countries to be part of it. These tourists will lodge in hotels; that will buoy revenue for hotels and the government, by extension. Similarly, they will eat, they will drink, and they will also buy souvenirs. By so doing, they are empowering the local businesses and contributing to the growth of the state’s economy. There are so many things that traditional religion practitioners can do to boost government’s revenue generation drive.”
While lauding the governor for his many interventions that have improved the state, Chief Egbelade said, “Let’s take the Ijaiye Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone, for instance. Look at the number of people that will be employed there. Look at Eruwa and Fasola as well. Look at how he is helping the downtrodden; widows and orphans. Truth be told, Makinde has done well.”
Talking about the roads constructed by the administration, the Aare Isese of Oyo State said, “Iseyin cannot forget Makinde. Look at the Moniya-Iseyin Road. Look at Iseyin-Oyo Road. Ogbomoso can never forget Makinde. Look at the Iseyin-Ogbomoso Road. He is doing the same thing in Ibarapa. The governor has really tried. Again, look at the Circular Road. When it is completed, people coming from Lagos, who are going outside Ibadan, do not need to get into Ibadan. They will veer off at Technical University and head towards their destinations.
“Look at the Ladoke Akintola Airport that is being upgraded to international standard. This will boost the economy of the state and create employment opportunities for the people.”
Chief Omikunmi Egbelade’s verdict: “Governor Makinde is a disciplined man who does the right thing with the right quality.”
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