By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
IBADAN
The Oyo State House of Assembly has approved the request of Governor Seyi Makinde to proceed on his annual leave, paving the way for the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, to steer the ship of the state as Acting Governor.
The governor’s leave is scheduled to take effect from Monday, August 10, and will run through September 11. According to official correspondence transmitted to the legislature, Governor Makinde is expected to officially resume office on Monday, September 14, 2026.
The approval followed the consideration of a formal letter from the governor during Thursday’s plenary session, in strict compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates a state chief executive to formally notify the parliament prior to proceeding on vacation.
Presiding over the plenary in the absence of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Muhammed Fadeyi, read the governor’s letter to the lawmakers.
Following robust deliberations, the House unanimously granted the request, expressing absolute confidence in the capacity of the deputy governor to guarantee the seamless continuity of governance across the state.
The lawmakers noted that empowering the deputy governor to act as governor during the period will ensure that government machinery runs uninterrupted, maintaining policy implementation and administrative stability.
In his remarks after the adoption of the resolution, Hon. Fadeyi wished Governor Makinde a peaceful and refreshing annual leave. He reiterated the commitment of the legislative arm to sustaining a cordial, collaborative relationship with the executive arm in the overriding interest of the good people of Oyo State.
The Deputy Speaker also lauded Barrister Lawal’s track record of effective leadership during previous instances, assuring the public of a stable governance structure capable of delivering democratic dividends without hitlocks.
Other members of the Assembly, in their separate contributions, commended Governor Makinde for upholding constitutional tenets by officially notifying the legislature. They described the move as a profound demonstration of respect for the rule of law and democratic accountability.
The House subsequently directed that a clean copy of its resolution approving the governor’s annual leave be communicated to the executive arm for immediate implementation.
