Residents across Oyo State have warned political actors that anyone who has assured any presidential candidate aside from Governor Seyi Makinde, popularly known as GSM, should “return whatever they collected before it is too late.”
They stressed that such candidates do not have a chance in Oyo because GSM has done well beyond what intruders or money can use to buy the people’s choice. According to residents who spoke in different zones over the weekend, the governor’s track record in infrastructure, education, health and security has earned him the trust of the people across the state.
The conversation was loudest in markets, motor parks, campuses and community meetings in Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa and the Ibadan metropolis.
In Saki, community leader Chief Adebayo said GSM has touched Oke-Ogun with road projects and government presence in a way that previous administrations did not. He added that if anyone collected money from another presidential camp, the honourable thing to do is to return it now because the people have already made up their minds.
From Sepeteri, trader Mrs. Kehinde Alabi said the people are politically aware and will not sell their votes. She noted that money cannot buy what performance has already secured, and urged political middlemen to return whatever they collected.
In Ago-Are, youth leader Comrade Yusuf said the zone is solidly behind GSM and that any presidential ambition that ignores him will not gain traction. In Tede, Alhaji Bello said the people follow results, not envelopes, and that other candidates have no real base in the area.
In Ogbomoso, the discussion extended to the academic community. At LAUTECH, student leader Ayo said the institution and the entire Ogbomoso community have benefited from GSM’s investments in education and health. He said because of that, other candidates do not have a chance in Ogbomoso and anyone who collected money elsewhere should return it. Dr. Akinwumi, a lecturer, said you cannot come with cash and expect to override years of visible projects and grassroots engagement.
In Iganna, community elder Baba Lasisi said though the community is small, the people know who is working and they will stand with GSM.
In Ibarapa, the message was the same. In Igangan, farmer Mrs. Ajoke said improvements in security and agriculture under GSM have won the trust of farmers and residents. She said money will not change that. In Eruwa, market woman Iya Ninu said anyone who collected money from another camp should go and return it because it will not work in Eruwa. In Lanlate, youth leader Tunde said GSM’s performance has shut the door against intruders. In Tapa, community leader Chief Adeleke said the people follow leadership that delivers, and that leadership is GSM.
In Ibadan and the central zone, residents echoed the same position. In Ona-Ara, Mrs. Monsurat Ishola, popularly known as Iya Ibadan, said women are with GSM and that anyone promising another presidential candidate should return what they collected. At Owode Garage in Ibadan, commercial driver Alhaji Musa said from park to park and garage to garage, the sentiment is GSM, and that other contenders do not have a chance in Oyo.
Political Leader, Honourable Ojo added that leaders must carry everybody along, but the starting point must be GSM because he has done too well for money to buy the people’s choice.
In Afijio zone, Ilora stakeholder Dauda Gbadamosi said Ilora people are politically conscious and will not follow anyone who bypasses the governor. In Taki, resident Adeola Lawal said Ward 10 and Taki are saying the same thing, that GSM has done well and intruders should save their money.
Political observers say the wave of comments reflects how governance and grassroots connection have shaped political loyalty in Oyo. From road networks in Oke-Ogun, to education support in Ogbomoso, to security interventions in Ibarapa and urban renewal in Ibadan, residents say they are tying their support to performance.
As discussions around 2027 begin, the message from Saki to Eruwa, Sepeteri to Ona-Ara, and LAUTECH to Owode Garage remains consistent. In Oyo, return whatever you collected if it is not for GSM, because the people believe outsiders do not have a chance here.
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