The Oyo State House of Assembly has granted Governor Seyi Makinde’s request to embark on his annual leave.
This allows his deputy, Bayo Lawal, to supervise the state’s business when the governor is absent.
The governor’s leave begins August 10, 2026, and concludes September 11, 2026. He is scheduled to resume office on September 14, 2026.
The clearance came after the governor’s formal correspondence was considered in plenary on Thursday, in compliance with the rules of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution, which require a governor to notify the legislature whenever he intends to be absent from office.
Muhammed Fadeyi, the Deputy Speaker of the House who presided over the plenary in the absence of the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, read the governor’s letter to the members.
The request was granted, and state lawmakers expressed confidence in the deputy governor’s ability to maintain smooth governance in the state.
During the governor’s annual absence, the deputy governor takes over as Acting Governor, managing governance throughout.
In the letter, Makinde notified the Assembly that he would be on his yearly leave and requested that the House authorize the Deputy Governor to act on his behalf during his absence.
Following the confirmation, the House confirmed that Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal would oversee the state’s day-to-day administration, ensuring that government activities continued until Governor Makinde resumed duty.
Speaking following the approval, the Deputy Speaker wished the governor a quiet and rejuvenating leave, stressing that the legislature remained committed to maintaining cordial relations with the executive branch for the benefit of the people of Oyo State.
The Deputy Speaker also expressed confidence in the Deputy Governor’s ability to provide effective leadership during the period, as demonstrated in the past, and described the state’s governance structure as solid and capable of ensuring policy continuity.