It may not be a business as usual for Ibadan to hold on to the number one seat of Oyo State in 2027.
More and more aspirants from across other zones in the state are throwing their hats in the ring to challenge the status quo.
These aspirants, more than ever, seems to be battle ready to slug it out with their counterparts from Ibadan for the governorship tickets of their various political parties, especially in the two major political parties - the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC).
For them, the demand is the same as what has been agitated for over the years-that the governorship slot, for the sake of equity, fairness and justice, should be rotated among the five zones in the state rather than being monopolized by Ibadan, the state's capital.
There are 5 geopolitical zones in Oyo State. Ibadan (11 local government areas), Oke-Ogun (10 local government areas), Ogbomoso (5 local government areas), Oyo (4 local government areas), and Ibarapa zone with 3 local government areas.
But Ibadan, out of the 5 zones, has remained the sole beneficiary of the governorship seat since Nigeria's return to civilian rule in 1999 while deputy governorship and speakership slots go to other zones, depending on negotiations and other prevailing factors at the time.
From Late former governor Lam Adesina (1999-2003) to Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (2003-2007), Late former governor Abiola Ajimobi (2011-2019) and the incumbent governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who came to power in 2019 and now serving his second term of four years, are all Ibadan Indigenes. They are all from Ibadan.
The only zone that has ever ruled the state apart from Ibadan since 1999 is Ogbomoso. And was the tenure of Late former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.
Akala, an Ogbomoso man, came on board as governor in 2006 after his estranged boss, Ladoja was impeached as result of his face off with his political godfather, Late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu.
Akala who ruled for a year (January-December 2006) before Ladoja was reinstated would later contested and won the 2007 guber race which enabled him to serve a full term of four years (2007-2011).
So, it's natural for other zones to agitate for power shift. In the forefront of this agitation, however, are the stakeholders mostly from Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa zones.
Of course the increase in number of non-Ibadan Indigene aspirants is coming at a time when conversation on power rotation is gaining momentum across political circles ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election.
Interestingly, more voices including some who are Ibadan Indigenes are now in full support and have since joined the power rotation campaign.
In fact, many political stakeholders, civil society and grassroot community groups are lending their voices to make the power rotation demand a reality.
They believe there must be equal distribution of power and resources across the zones for the state to really enjoy a proper economic and infrastructural development.
However, while some of these potential non-Ibadan Indigene aspirants have officially declared their intention to contest the governorship primaries of their parties, others, perhaps, are still studying the situation.
All of the 17 potential non-Ibadan Indigene aspirants, as captured in this report, are either in PDP or APC except one of them who could be categorized as an independent aspirant. And that is Alhaji Ahmed Raji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Oke-Ogun area.
Apart from Raji, we have on the list Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, the former deputy to Governor Seyi Makinde during his first term (2019-2022) before he was impeached. Olaniyan is an all-round technocrat who had served in different levels of the country's civil service. He has never hide his interest to rule Oyo State. He's from Oke-Ogun zone in Igboho, the headquarters of Oorelope Local Government Area of the state. He's an APC man.
Former minister of communications, Barr. Bayo Shittu too has his eyes fixed on the number one seat of the state. He has made several attempts in the past, and he's likely to try again in 2027. He is a member of APC. Shittu is well equipped in both politically and academically. He served as a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly at 26. He's also from Oke-Ogun, Saki precisely.
Another APC member from outside Ibadan who is eyeing the number one seat in 2027 is Senator Fatai Buhari from Ogbomoso. Buhari had earlier served as a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South and Ori-Ire Federal Constituency before moving to the Senate in 2015. He's currently serving his third term as Oyo North senator.
Col. Gbenga Adegbola, a retired Colonel in the Nigerian Army and another son of Oke-Ogun, is also interested in the governorship ticket of APC. He has officially declared his intention to run.
Also in APC, we have Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, a Neuroscientist and former Commissioner for Health and later Deputy Chief of Staff to Late former governor Abiola Ajimobi. Gbadegesin is from Okeho, headquarters of Kajola Local Government Area of the state. He's currently the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).
Meanwhile, in PDP there is Engr. Femi Babalola, a successful businessman cum politician. Babalola, CEO of the popular Jogor Events Centre and Jogor Hotel in Ibadan, is an Indigene of Fiditi in Afijio Local Government Area of the state. He's one of the founding members of PDP in Oyo State.
There is also Hon. Shina Peller, the immediate past House of Reps honourable from Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency. He's likely to contest PDP's governorship ticket.
Barr. Bayo Lawal, the present Deputy Governor in the state has also shown interest. Lawal, a chieftain of PDP, is from Kishi in Oke-Ogun area of the state.
We also have Amofin Beulah Adeoye, a financial expert from Ipapo in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state. Adeoye has not only signified his interest to run under PDP but has also embarked on serious consultations.
Those who are also interested in PDP governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election include the current Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, who is from Eruwa in Ibarapa East Local Government Area; Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, the present Chief of Staff to the Governor Seyi Makinde, and a former member of the Federal House of Representatives from Oyo town; and Barr. Niyi Farinto from Ijio. Farinto is a former Chairman of Iwajowa Local Government and former Member of the Oyo State House of Assembly. He was also the Deputy Director-General of the Governor Seyi Makinde 2023 Campaign for Oyo North Senatorial District.
Those who have not expressed their interests but are potential aspirants and are affiliated to APC are: Barr. Zach Adelabu Adedeji, who is from Iwo-Ate, Ogbomoso and currently the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue; Professor Adeolu Akande, a native of Otu in Itesiwaju Local Government area of the state and former Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Hon. Sunday Dare, a renowned journalist and former Minister of Youth and Sports from Ogbomoso; and Dr. Oludare Akande, a native of Oke-Ogun and a successful businessman.
Credit: City People
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