That's the biggest question on the lips of many as the political atmosphere in Oyo State is presently charged with anticipation as Governor Seyi Makinde prepares to name his successor any time soon.
The preferred governorship candidate as stated in the governor's recent remark would be presented to the state's electorates after a thorough consultation with stakeholders.
“We have engaged with a number of credible individuals as part of a deliberate transition process, and I will communicate a decision in due course, one that reflects both the progress we have made and the future we must secure," Governor Makinde remarked.
This announcement is also coming amidst swirling rumors that the governor might defect from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), adding another layer of complexity to an already tense situation.
There are several loyalists of Governor Makinde who want to succeed him, but an inside source told trendscopenews that the race is between three major contenders.
The three main contenders according to the source include a member of the House of Representatives representing Ibadan South-West/North-East, Hon. Stanley Adedeji Olajide (Odidiomo); former Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Planning during the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi; and state Chairman of the Agribusiness Development Agency, Dr. Debo Akande.
Of course, the three individuals named are more than qualified and have impeccable track records.
Stanley Adedeji Olajide (Odidiomo) is a successful US-trained IT expert with over twenty-five years of experience before venturing into politics.
He is a Fellow of Nigeria Computer Society (FNCS). Odidiomo, as he is popularly called on the political scene, has also made a great impact in his constituency as a second-term federal lawmaker. He is 61.
Dr. Debo Akande, meanwhile, is a distinguished agribusiness development specialist and international development leader with over 30 years of strategic leadership experience.
Based at the IITA headquarters in Ibadan, Dr. Debo Akande is the CEO of IITA Business Incubation Limited and leads the Mechanization and the Zero Hunger programs.
He combines the role with the position of Executive Adviser on Agribusiness and International Development Cooperation to the Oyo State governor and the Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA).
He had previously served as the Head of Olusegun Obasanjo Station in Democratic Republic of Congo, the third largest IITA Research for Development station in Africa.
He has led several agribusiness management portfolios which include the World Bank Integrated Project for Agricultural Growth (PICAGL) in the Great Lake of Africa and the AgResults Global Initiative, among others.
Meanwhile, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi is a young, successful professional in politics.
He is said to be a very close associate of Governor Makinde's closest aide, Otunba Seye Famojuro.
Adekanmbi is a distinguished politician and a Chartered Accountant who has held notable positions in the state.
He was Deputy Chief of Staff and Commissioner of Finance, Budget, and Planning under late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
He's known for his exceptional financial acumen, humility and commitment to public service.
He was recently appointed to chair the Ibadan Airport Upgrade Project.
For his contributions to society and its development, Adekanmbi has several awards and honors to his name.
Even though Governor Makinde had earlier in March this year tasked his advisory council to engage and screen credible candidates among the People's Democratic Party aspirants for the 2027 governorship election.
The council, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, was mandated to interact with all governorship aspirants on the party's platform. Its purpose was to provide recommendations for a candidate in continuation of Omituntun 3.0, and to ensure all aspirants had an equal opportunity and a level playing field to showcase their plans and ideas.
However, our source insisted that the governor's successor will most likely emerge from among the three major contenders listed above.
This is because the governor has kept his cards close to his chest on both who will be his preferred candidate and under which political party his faction of the embattled PDP will move to.
The premise within his camp is for the governor and his followers to align with a political party that will give their formidable structure the required recognition.
The belief is that for Makinde's Omituntun movement and all the aspirants under it to achieve positive results in 2027, the leader (Makinde) must be on the ballot paper either as a Presidential candidate or Vice President.
Of course, there is no doubt that Governor Makinde, apart from his remarkable achievements as governor, has built a solid structure over the years.
A loyalist of the governor who spoke with this reporter under condition of anonymity described Makinde's relationship with party members and his loyalists and his magnanimity towards them as unprecedented.
"This is the first time in many years that party members really enjoy the benefits of their electoral sacrifices right from the state to local government and ward levels," he said.
There are also strong indications that the group may join either Accord or former Bayelsa governor Seriake Dickson's NDC. In fact, rumor is all over town that Governor Makinde may soon make the major announcement of his defection to the NDC
However, the governor's decision is expected to significantly reshape the political landscape, influencing party alignments and the dynamics of the upcoming elections.
Political analysts suggest that Makinde's successor choice, coupled with the defection rumors, could lead to a major realignment of forces within the state's political parties.
All eyes are now on the Governor, awaiting an announcement that will undoubtedly set the tone for the next political dispensation in Oyo State.
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