Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, is scheduled to proceed on a month vacation and in preparation, he has transmitted power to deputy, Bayo Lawal to act in position till his return.

Beginning Thursday, 11th August, the lawyer cum politician, who recently replaced Raufu Olaniyan, will be acting governor till the governor returns from a one month vacation, and will run till September 2, 2022.

This was not the case in the more than three years Olaniyan served with Makinde.

Lawal unlike Olaniyan, has been saddled as overseer of the justice ministry as well as the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency, OYSTROMA and the Oyo State Housing Corporation, where he was chairman before his new position.

Makinde informed the House of Assembly via a letter to intimate them of the development.

A source in the Assembly confirmed the development, adding however that the letter was delivered to the office of the Speaker and Clerk around 4:30PM.

The claim on the time of delivery of the letter could not be confirmed.

Another source who is also privy to the activities of the Governor but would not want his name in print also confirmed the story.

The source said “The governor is going on vacation from August 11 to 2nd September.

“By a declaration transmitted under section 190 (1) of the Constitution to the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly (OYHA) today 10th August 2022.

“The Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal will be Acting Governor during the period.”

When contacted for information, the House Committee Chairman on Information, Kazeem Olayanju said he could not confirm the development.

However, a source who confirmed the letter in the House said the letter will be presented during the next plenary.

The source could neither confirm if the House would call an emergency plenary to present the letter nor wait till next week when plenary is expected to hold.

However, it was gathered that with the notification of the lawmakers through the letter, the Governor has fulfilled the requirements to make Lawal serve as Acting Governor pending his return.

Since the current political dispensation, it is the first time a governor of the state will be going on a vacation and transmitting power to the deputy to serve as Acting Governor.

Quick Facts About Bayo Lawal

Following the impeachment of Oyo State deputy governor,  Rauf Olaniyan by the members of Oyo State House of Assembly on Monday, the Assembly has approved the nomination of Adebayo Lawal as the new deputy governor.

Here are some quick facts to know about him:

1. His full name is, Abdulraheem Adebayo Adeleke Lawal.

2. He is from Kishi area of Oke-Ogun, Irepo Local Government Area.

3. He has two bachelor’s degrees from the prestigious University of Ibadan. First in economics and then Law.

4. He is a lawyer by profession.

5. He is married to Mrs Ajibike Lawal, a retired zonal manager in the banking industry.

6. He contested to represent the people of Oyo North senatorial district at the upper chamber of the national assembly thrice under different parties. (2003 -AD, 2007 – AC, and 2019 -ADC).

7. The Iba of Kishi, HRM Iba Kishi Arowoduye II honoured him as the Aare Baamofin of Kishiland alongside his wife as Yeye Baa.

8. He once served as the attorney-general of Oyo State.

9. Lawal was before his appointment the Chairman of Oyo State Housing Corporation.