IBADAN, Nigeria — The Oyo State House of Assembly has approved a formal request by Governor Seyi Makinde to proceed on his scheduled annual leave, officially authorizing Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal to oversee state governance in an acting capacity.

The official correspondence from the executive was presented and read during plenary on Thursday by the Deputy Speaker, Muhammed Fadeyi, who presided over the sitting in the absence of Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin.

According to the executive letter submitted to the legislature, Governor Makinde’s annual leave will take effect from August 10 through September 11, 2026.

The governor is scheduled to officially resume executive duties on Monday, September 14, 2026.

The formal notification strictly complies with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which requires state governors to notify the legislature prior to embarking on extended leave or temporarily stepping away from official responsibilities.

Following the reading of the letter, members of the Oyo State House of Assembly unanimously granted approval, tasking Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal with leading the state’s day-to-day administration without interrupting ongoing projects or civil service operations.

Speaking after the approval, Deputy Speaker Muhammed Fadeyi wished Governor Makinde a peaceful vacation while reiterating the assembly's commitment to maintaining a harmonious working relationship with the executive branch.

"The governance structure in Oyo State remains highly stable and structured," Fadeyi noted. "We have full confidence in the capacity of the Deputy Governor to effectively steer state affairs during the governor's brief absence, ensuring policy implementation remains seamless."