Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is set to announce former Commissioner for Finance, Bimbo Adekanmbi, as his preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election in the state.
According to Punch, the governor and many of his loyalists within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may adopt the Action Democratic Party (ADC) as their political platform ahead of the next election cycle.
Sources close to the development told the publication that discussions around Adekanmbi’s emergence gathered momentum on Wednesday after consultations with party leaders and other political stakeholders across the state.
According to reports, the governor had already settled for the former commissioner as the preferred successor, although there were mixed views over the political party that would eventually be adopted.
The source said, “We are going to the ADP, and Bimbo Adekanmbi shall be our candidate. Governor Makinde will tomorrow (Thursday) unveil his preferred consensus candidate. The venue is unknown to me as we speak. The candidate has met with party stakeholders, Oyo Assembly stakeholders, prominent individuals within and outside Ibadan, and the 33 local government chairmen in the state.
“The preferred candidate has appeared before an elders council, Oyo lawmakers and council chairmen across the state, where discussions centred on endorsement ahead of a formal public announcement.
“The meeting was crucial in building consensus among influential figures within the state’s political structure.“
Recall that Governor Makinde directed the state advisory council led by Bolaji Ayorinde to engage governorship aspirants within the PDP.
The council held separate meetings with aspirants to understand their plans and ideas for the development of the state.
Apart from Adekanmbi, other aspirants who reportedly appeared before the council include House of Representatives member Adedeji Olajide, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board Nureni Adeniran, Chairman of the Agribusiness Development Agency Debo Akande, and Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly Adebo Ogundoyin.
