Makinde Adekanmbi governorship bid gains momentum as Oyo governor prepares to unveil preferred successor and possible new party platform

Strong indications emerged in Oyo State on Wednesday that Governor Seyi Makinde is preparing to unveil former Commissioner for Finance, Bimbo Adekanmbi, as his preferred governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 election.

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Sources within the political circles of the governor also disclosed that loyalists and supporters of Seyi Makinde may adopt the Action Democratic Party as their political platform for the next election cycle, although some insiders hinted at the possibility of the National Democratic Party instead.

Multiple sources familiar with the development told The PUNCH that discussions surrounding Bimbo Adekanmbi’s endorsement intensified on Wednesday, with key stakeholders across the state reportedly briefed on the governor’s decision.

One source said, “We are going to the ADP, and Bimbo Adekanmbi shall be our candidate.”

Despite mounting speculation, several allies of the governor declined to speak publicly, insisting that Seyi Makinde should personally announce both his preferred candidate and the political platform.

Party stalwarts within the Peoples Democratic Party, however, expressed confidence that the governor would make a formal declaration within the next 48 hours.

Another source claimed the announcement could come as early as Sunday.

Bimbo Adekanmbi previously served as commissioner during the administration of late former governor Abiola Ajimobi and has steadily emerged as a major contender in the state’s succession calculations.

A senior source familiar with the consultations said the former commissioner had already met lawmakers, local government chairmen, party elders and influential political figures across the state as part of efforts to build consensus.

“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 source said.

The Makinde Adekanmbi governorship bid speculation first gained traction in July 2024 after the governor appointed Adekanmbi to chair the committee overseeing the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan.

Bimbo Adekanmbi officially joined the PDP in December 2025 before declaring his governorship ambition in April 2026 during a visit to the party secretariat in Oke-Ado.

Since then, the former commissioner has intensified consultations with stakeholders across the state, including members of the House of Assembly and local government officials.

Before joining the PDP, Adekanmbi contested for the Oyo South senatorial ticket under the platform of the All Progressives Congress in 2023.

Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier mandated the state advisory council, led by Bolaji Ayorinde, to engage governorship aspirants seeking the PDP ticket for 2027.

Among those who reportedly appeared before the council were Adedeji Olajide, Nureni Adeniran, Debo Akande and Adebo Ogundoyin.

Public Relations Officer of the Oyo PDP, Micheal Ogunsina, said the party was still awaiting the governor’s official position.

Chairman of Egbeda Local Government and state chairman of ALGON, Sikiru Sanda, also stated that no formal briefing had been given regarding any consensus arrangement.

The emerging political calculations have nevertheless triggered fresh debate over religious balancing within the state’s power structure.

Some PDP stakeholders argued that convincing the Muslim community to support Adekanmbi may prove challenging because of an alleged understanding reached during the 2023 elections that the next governor should be Muslim.

One party stalwart noted that many leading governorship hopefuls within the APC are Muslims, suggesting the opposition party is already positioning itself around that sentiment.

Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to surround the future of the PDP following the recent Supreme Court judgment nullifying the party’s national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.

Also read: Oyo Governor Makinde Urges PDP Governorship Contenders to Campaign

The ruling, delivered by a split panel of five justices, upheld earlier decisions invalidating the convention after an appeal filed by a faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, was dismissed.