Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has disclosed that an unnamed chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had forewarned him not to contest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
Makinde made this known in the July 2026 edition of the Monthly Newsletter, a copy of which was obtained by Tribune Online in Ibadan on Thursday.
Makinde submitted that a day after the warning was handed over to him, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requested copies of all the state government contracts and payments to contractors from 2021, without identifying any contractor, company, transaction, or alleged offence.
Tribune Online recalls that the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, in its ruling on suit no. FHC/IB/CS/61/2025, filed by the state government, acknowledged the EFCC’s statutory powers to investigate financial infractions and crimes but emphasised that such powers must be exercised strictly in line with the Constitution and the Rule of Law.
The special adviser to Governor Makinde on media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, was quoted in a statement as saying that ‘the EFCC’s proposed investigation into Oyo State’s finances, particularly the demands contained in its letter of 2 June 2025, was speculative and amounted to a fishing expedition.
‘His Lordship noted that the constitutional rights of the plaintiffs to fair hearing could not be trampled upon under the guise of investigation.’
Makinde, in his newsletter, was quoted to have said, ‘An APC chieftain warned him on June 1, 2025, against contesting the 2027 presidential election after President Bola Tinubu was endorsed as the APC’s sole candidate.
‘A day after the warning, the EFCC requested copies of all Oyo State Government contracts and payments to contractors from 2021, without identifying any contractor, company, transaction, or alleged offence.’
Makinde said his administration did not resist the investigation but asked the EFCC to specify the contractors or transactions under investigation so the relevant documents could be provided.
‘The EFCC did not respond, prompting the Oyo State Government to seek judicial interpretation of whether such a broad request was lawful.’
He said the court affirmed the EFCC’s constitutional power to investigate financial crimes but ruled that such powers must be exercised within the Constitution and the rule of law.
He noted that the court described the EFCC’s request as ‘speculative’ and a ‘fishing expedition,’ holding that requests for information must be tied to a specific allegation.
Makinde said he would not speculate on the timing of the EFCC’s letter but invited Nigerians to consider the sequence of events and draw their own conclusions.
He stressed that no government is above legitimate investigation, adding that his administration has always been open to scrutiny and accountability.
‘Accountability must be evidence-based,’ warning against broad investigations conducted in the hope of uncovering wrongdoing.
He described the court’s decision as ‘a victory for the rule of law, not against the EFCC,’ saying it reinforces the principle that all institutions must operate within constitutional and legal boundaries.
‘The judgment underscores the need for leadership that respects due process, constitutionalism and the rule of law.’