The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has stated that it will be difficult for any future administration to dismantle the strong institutions his government has established over the last seven and a half years.
The governor, in a statement released by his Special Adviser (Media), Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, made the remark on Thursday while inaugurating the newly constructed office complex of the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority.
Makinde added that his administration would be remembered for creating agencies that did not exist before 2019.
He listed the OYRLEA, the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun), the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, the Oyo State Project Performance Monitoring Agency, the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socioeconomic Development and the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency as institutions deliberately established to strengthen governance and drive long-term prosperity.
He said any administration that genuinely cares about the state would sustain these institutions rather than attempt to dismantle them.
The governor commended the Chairperson of OYRLEA, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd), for her diligence and commitment to upholding the rule of law.
He noted that although they had differences at certain points, he had no regrets appointing her to lead the agency in its formative years.
The governor said, “At the heart of good governance is the rule of law. When people know their rights and security agencies enforce the law without bias, you have order, investors come in, and the economy improves. That is what we have experienced in Oyo State.”
Makinde emphasised that his administration would be remembered not only for infrastructure but for building institutions that guarantee good governance beyond his tenure.
He challenged any future government to attempt scrapping OYRLEA, OYMASED, the Project Performance Monitoring Agency, Amotekun, the Anti-Corruption Agency, or OYSADA, stating that these bodies were created to ensure continuity and stability in governance.
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, in his goodwill message, congratulated OYRLEA for the achievements recorded since its establishment.
He noted that the passage of the Act establishing the Authority demonstrated the Assembly’s commitment to enacting laws that addressed practical needs, strengthened public order, and supported effective governance.
He highlighted OYRLEA’s mandate to enforce laws relating to environmental protection, sanitation, waste control, road traffic management, open rearing and grazing, and other related matters, describing these responsibilities as central to the state’s development.
He urged the Authority to discharge its mandate responsibly and transparently, and called on residents, community leaders, business owners, motorists, traders, and other stakeholders to cooperate with the Authority.
Earlier in her welcome address, Justice Aderemi described the inauguration of the new office complex and the unveiling of the Authority’s maiden magazine as significant milestones.
She said the achievements reflected the collective commitment to strengthening law enforcement, protecting the environment, maintaining public order, and promoting the rule of law in Oyo State.
She noted that the Authority had intensified enforcement of the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law through monitoring, public enlightenment, and collaboration with traditional institutions, local governments, security agencies, and other stakeholders, promoting peaceful coexistence between farmers, herders, and the wider public.
She commended the governor for his support and the House of Assembly for providing the legislative framework that birthed the Authority.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; former Chief Judge, Justice Badejoko Adeniji; President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Tajudeen Abdulganiyu; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Akinwale Akinwole; Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Adenike Fashina; Deputy Chief of Staff, Kazeem Adeniyi; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal; and Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen, Sikiru Sanda.
Also present were commissioners, members of the state Elders’ Council, members of the Oyo State Advisory Council, service commanders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and other dignitaries.