Oyo 2027 and the Universal Thumb Rule of Getting It Right| Deji Ola

History teaches us that progress is never accidental; it is always the outcome of deliberate choices. As the political calendar inches toward 2027, the good people of Oyo State are once again approaching a pivotal moment, one that demands reflection, wisdom, and fidelity to a simple but powerful principle: when something works, you sustain it.

Few years ago, Oyo people applied this universal thumb rule when Governor Seyi Makinde sought re-election. His first term, defined by accelerated development, people-centred governance, and fiscal responsibility, became his strongest campaign message. The result was historic: an unprecedented re-election victory by a landslide margin, one that was neither controversial nor disputed in any competent court of law. It was a clear, incontrovertible expression of the people’s will. As the saying goes, “The voice of the people is the voice of God.”

Since his re-emergence, Governor Makinde has remained consistent in purpose and performance. Across infrastructure, education, health, security, agribusiness, and public service reform, progress has not stalled. Governance has been steady, inclusive, and focused, with a clear commitment to serving every zone and every citizen of Oyo State up till his last constitutional day in office, May 29, 2027. In governance, consistency is not weakness; it is strength.

Naturally, as 2027 approaches, the political space is becoming electrified. Propaganda is rising, narratives are being distorted, and smear campaigns are gaining momentum. This is not unusual. Opposition voices are essential in a democracy, but as Edmund Burke rightly noted, “The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.” Opposition must be guided by ethics, honesty, and integrity not desperation or misinformation.

What must never be ignored, however, is context. Where was Oyo State before 2019, and where is it today? The state has enjoyed sustainable, data-driven, and people-focused development, an approach that did not happen by chance. These gains must not be sacrificed on the altar of over-ambition or unrealistic promises. As the proverb warns, “You do not change a winning horse in the middle of a race.”

This brings us to the universal thumb rule: do we consolidate on the progressive benchmarks set by Governor Seyi Makinde, or do we risk turning back the hands of the clock? The question is simple, but answering it requires sincerity, reflection, and an unbiased mind.

Across the streets, markets, campuses, and communities of Oyo State, one sentiment is common: people desire continuity beyond 2027. Not because of personal loyalty to an individual, but because they can feel, see, and experience the dividends of democracy, uninterrupted and steadily delivered. As John C. Maxwell once said, “People don’t follow titles; they follow results.”

The choice before us is therefore clear. Do we follow a tested path of progress, stability, and sustainable development, or allow ourselves to be swayed by those with loud promises but no proven commitment to Oyo’s greatness?

In 2027, the thumb rule still applies. Wisdom lies in choosing continuity that works today, tomorrow, and beyond.