An unusual experience dating back to his secondary school years became the subject of a political message delivered by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to members of the state House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The governor recounted how a teacher at Bishop Philips Academy, Ibadan, once flogged students after claiming to have received a spiritual revelation about his death.
Makinde brought up the incident while addressing lawmakers during the presentation of the proposed N1.12 trillion budget for the 2027 fiscal year.
He used the story to communicate a message about his remaining time in office, making it clear that the conclusion of the February 2027 general election would not automatically bring his administration to an end.
Makinde told the legislators that they should remember he would continue to exercise the powers of governor until May 29, 2027, irrespective of his political plans after the elections.
His comments came against the backdrop of his ambition to move to Abuja following the 2027 polls, having emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
However, the governor made it clear that his anticipated political transition would not affect the completion of his constitutional mandate in Oyo State.
In a remark that combined humour with a note of caution, he suggested that lawmakers should avoid provoking him during the remaining period, as there would still be time for him to take actions capable of leaving a lasting impression.
“Please, be careful what you do to me because, after the election, I will still be the governor of this state until May 29, 2027,” Makinde told the lawmakers.
He reinforced the point by referring to the months between February and May, explaining that his presence in Abuja after the election would not prevent him from remaining in charge of affairs in Oyo.
“Even though I will be moving to Abuja, I can still do something in this state between February and May that people will never forget,” he added.
The governor’s choice of anecdote offered an insight into the message he wanted the lawmakers to understand.
Revisiting his time at Bishop Philips Academy, Makinde described an incident in which a teacher reportedly assembled students and punished them physically after claiming that he had received a revelation concerning his death.
According to the governor, the teacher told the students that one of them had done something that would eventually lead to his death. He subsequently flogged them before explaining the spiritual message he claimed to have received.
The teacher later declared that he would not die until June and warned the students that the incident would remain in their memories.
Makinde recalled that his classmates never forgot the experience, particularly as the teacher had attached such significance to the punishment and his prediction.
He said the memory stayed with them until June, when they graduated from the school.
The governor then drew a comparison between that experience and his relationship with members of the state legislature, suggesting that he did not want to be pushed into taking a decision or action that would remain unforgettable.
“And truly, we never forgot it until June, when we graduated. So, don’t let me say the same thing to you all. Until May 29, 2027, don’t let me do something that people will never forget,” he said.
Beyond the humour surrounding the story, Makinde’s remarks highlighted the political importance of the months separating the 2027 general election from the formal transfer of power in Oyo State.
The governor’s second term is scheduled to end on May 29, 2027. This means that even after the presidential and other elections have been conducted, his administration will continue to oversee the affairs of the state until the constitutionally recognised handover date.
His comments also brought attention to the responsibilities of the state legislature during the final phase of his administration, particularly as lawmakers prepare to consider the proposed N1.12 trillion spending plan.
The budget presentation was the official setting for the governor’s remarks, although his anecdote and warning became a notable part of his address to the Assembly.
For the lawmakers, the governor’s message was a reminder that political developments surrounding the 2027 elections would not immediately change the existing executive arrangement in Oyo State.
Makinde, meanwhile, maintained that his attention and authority would remain with the state until the final day of his tenure, even as he looks towards his next political ambition in Abuja.
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