Oyo 2027: Bimbo Adekanmbi Has Makinde’s Backing, But Is His Road to Agodi Clear?

 

Oyo 2027: Bimbo Adekanmbi Has Makinde’s Backing, But Is His Road to Agodi Clear?

 

By Akin Alade

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 Oyo State governorship election, the emergence of Hon. Abimbola “Bimbo” Adekanmbi as the consensus candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, has added a new dimension to the succession battle in the Pacesetter State.

Adekanmbi comes into the race with an impressive educational background, strong professional experience, deep knowledge of public finance and years of service in government.

He also enjoys perhaps one of the biggest political advantages any governorship candidate could wish for — the backing of incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde.

But elections are rarely won by credentials and endorsements alone.

Beyond the political meetings, elite negotiations, endorsements and internal realignments currently taking place across Oyo State is a larger constituency whose voice will ultimately determine who occupies Agodi Government House after Makinde.

They are the ordinary voters.

And for Adekanmbi, the road to Agodi may be promising, but it is certainly not yet smooth.

Adekanmbi’s Strong Educational and Professional Background

One of Adekanmbi’s strongest selling points is his rich combination of education, corporate exposure and public-sector experience.

Born on October 13, 1974, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Adekanmbi attended Oritamefa Baptist School in Ibadan, Federal Government College, Okigwe, and Obafemi Awolowo University.

A chartered accountant and experienced finance professional, he built a career that cut across banking, consulting, financial management, systems accounting and public administration.

His corporate experience gave him exposure to the structured world of finance and business management before he eventually became deeply involved in public service.

For a state increasingly confronted with questions around internally generated revenue, industrialisation, job creation, fiscal discipline and economic expansion, Adekanmbi’s financial background may become one of his strongest campaign weapons.

But whether voters will convert admiration for professional competence into electoral support remains another question entirely.

The Ajimobi Connection Could Be an Advantage

Adekanmbi’s political profile rose significantly during the administration of the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

He served in key positions in the administration, including as Commissioner for Finance and Budget Planning and Deputy Chief of Staff.

This experience gives Adekanmbi something many aspirants may not possess — practical knowledge of how government operates at the highest level.

His association with Ajimobi could also potentially open doors to sections of the late governor’s political family.

That could become an important advantage.

Adekanmbi is therefore not merely coming into the election as Makinde’s preferred successor.

He is also a product of a political structure that once dominated Oyo State under Ajimobi.

The possibility of combining elements of the Ajimobi political family with Makinde’s existing political machinery could make Adekanmbi a formidable candidate.

But the major question is whether both political traditions can genuinely work together when voting begins.

Makinde Factor Remains Adekanmbi’s Biggest Political Weapon

Governor Seyi Makinde remains Adekanmbi’s most significant political asset.

Makinde has established himself as one of the most influential politicians in Oyo State after winning the governorship election in 2019 and securing re-election in 2023.

His political structure stretches across the 33 local government areas of the state.

His administration has also undertaken several infrastructure projects, particularly major road connections aimed at linking the economic zones of the state.

Adekanmbi is therefore hoping to inherit more than Makinde’s endorsement.

He will be hoping to inherit Makinde’s political machinery, grassroots network and electoral goodwill.

But there is a major difference between inheriting a political structure and inheriting the votes of ordinary people.

Political leaders may declare support.

Local government chairmen may mobilise.

Political appointees may endorse.

Party leaders may realign.

But voters still have the final say.

That distinction could define the 2027 election.

Continuity of What?

Adekanmbi has positioned himself as a candidate capable of sustaining and improving on the achievements of the Makinde administration.

Continuity can be a powerful campaign message.

But it can also invite difficult questions.

The first will be simple:

What exactly are Oyo people being asked to continue?

For voters satisfied with Makinde’s performance, continuity may be attractive.

For those who believe their communities have not received sufficient government attention, the same message could become a political burden.

Residents of Iseyin, Saki, Igboora, Iganna, Okeho, Ogbomoso, Oyo town and other communities may ask how much development has directly reached their neighbourhoods.

They may ask how many roads within their communities have been reconstructed.

They may want to know what has changed in their local economies.

They will want answers about employment, healthcare, schools, markets, agriculture, transportation, security and access to government opportunities.

Those questions cannot be answered by endorsements alone.

They require visible evidence.

Road Projects Are Important, But What Economic Transformation Followed?

Any fair assessment of the Makinde administration must acknowledge major infrastructure projects outside Ibadan.

Road projects connecting Oyo, Iseyin, Ogbomoso and other parts of the state have improved movement and connectivity.

But the political conversation ahead of 2027 may move beyond the construction of roads.

The bigger question will be what those roads have done for the local economies they were designed to serve.

Has agriculture become more profitable in Oke-Ogun?

Has commerce expanded significantly in Saki?

Have industries followed improved road infrastructure into Ogbomoso?

Have businesses in Oyo town experienced greater economic activity?

Has Ibarapa attracted enough investment?

Have young people found more opportunities in their communities?

Have rural economies grown sufficiently to reduce migration into Ibadan and Lagos?

These are the questions that could determine whether Makinde’s infrastructure record becomes Adekanmbi’s strongest political asset or a subject of intense opposition scrutiny.

The IGR Question Could Become Central to the Campaign

Oyo State has recorded significant improvement in internally generated revenue in recent years.

That is an important achievement for any state seeking greater financial independence.

But voters may ask a more practical question.

What has increased revenue done to improve ordinary lives?

For citizens, economic development is not measured only in government revenue figures.

It is measured by jobs.

It is measured by disposable income.

It is measured by affordable transportation.

It is measured by functioning hospitals.

It is measured by good schools.

It is measured by electricity, security and thriving local businesses.

As a former Commissioner for Finance and a chartered accountant, Adekanmbi should be particularly comfortable discussing this issue.

His challenge will be to explain how his financial expertise will translate into stronger household prosperity, industrial growth and job creation across all 33 local government areas.

Local Government Chairmen May Also Be Put on Trial

Adekanmbi could also inherit the political record of local government administrations across the state.

Governorship elections are fought from ward to ward and polling unit to polling unit.

As the campaign gathers momentum, residents may begin demanding scorecards from their local government chairmen.

How many community roads have been rehabilitated?

How many primary healthcare centres have improved?

What programmes have benefited farmers?

What has been done for market women?

How many young entrepreneurs have received support?

What progress has been recorded in sanitation, primary education, local security and rural infrastructure?

If citizens believe the performance of local administrations has been poor, Adekanmbi could find himself defending not only Makinde’s government but an entire political establishment.

That could make the race considerably more difficult.

After 16 Years of Ibadan Governors, What Happens to Other Zones?

Perhaps one of the biggest political questions Adekanmbi will face is the issue of geographical balance.

By the end of Makinde’s second term, Oyo State would have had 16 consecutive years of governors from Ibadan.

Ajimobi governed for eight years.

Makinde will also complete eight years.

Adekanmbi is from Ibadan.

There is nothing constitutionally wrong with another Ibadan indigene becoming governor.

Ibadan also possesses a huge population and electoral advantage.

But politics is also about inclusion, fairness and perception.

Voters in Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, Oyo and Ibarapa may increasingly ask what their place will be in the next political arrangement.

Will development continue to be perceived as heavily concentrated around Ibadan?

Will major appointments be evenly distributed?

Will industries be deliberately encouraged outside the state capital?

Will infrastructure spending reflect the needs of all five geopolitical zones?

Will communities outside Ibadan receive the same urgency given to projects within the metropolis?

These questions could become central to the 2027 campaign.

Adekanmbi will need to convince voters that an Ibadan-born governor does not automatically mean an Ibadan-centred government.

Adekanmbi Must Become More Than Makinde’s Candidate

Perhaps the biggest personal challenge facing Adekanmbi is the need to establish his own political identity.

Makinde’s endorsement is a huge advantage.

But it could also become a weakness if the candidate is unable to distinguish himself.

The electorate will want to know the Bimbo Adekanmbi agenda.

What will he do differently?

What is his industrialisation plan?

How will his financial background improve the management of Oyo State?

What is his economic blueprint for Oke-Ogun?

What is his plan for Ogbomoso?

How does he intend to expand Ibarapa’s economy?

What is his vision for Oyo town?

How many industries does he hope to attract?

What is his plan for graduate unemployment?

How will he improve agriculture?

How will he deepen internally generated revenue without overburdening citizens?

And perhaps most importantly, will he be politically independent enough to take decisions that may differ from Makinde’s position?

These are questions his campaign will eventually have to answer.

Past Opposition Attacks Could Return

Adekanmbi’s emergence has not been without controversy.

Before his formal adoption as the APM governorship candidate, political opponents and some stakeholders questioned how he emerged as Makinde’s preferred successor.

There were claims in political circles that some stakeholders initially preferred another aspirant.

That debate created the impression among some observers that Adekanmbi’s emergence may have depended more heavily on Makinde’s preference than on broad internal consensus.

Whether that perception is correct or not, it could return during the campaign.

Opponents may frame Adekanmbi as an imposed candidate.

His campaign will therefore have to demonstrate that his support goes beyond Government House and political elites.

His Ajimobi-Era Finance Record May Face Scrutiny

Adekanmbi’s service under Ajimobi is one of his greatest assets.

It could also become one of his biggest vulnerabilities.

Political opponents may revisit difficult financial periods experienced during the Ajimobi administration, including controversies surrounding workers’ salaries and the state’s financial condition.

Because Adekanmbi served in the finance portfolio, critics may demand explanations about the decisions taken during that period.

That does not automatically establish wrongdoing.

But politically, it means Adekanmbi may have to account publicly for his stewardship.

As a candidate whose strongest credential is financial expertise, he will need to explain what lessons he learned from his years in government and how those experiences would shape his own administration.

Is Adekanmbi Popular Enough at the Grassroots?

Another question likely to emerge is whether Adekanmbi possesses sufficient grassroots political appeal.

His résumé is impressive.

His professional profile is strong.

His public-sector experience is substantial.

But governorship elections are not boardroom interviews.

They are fought in communities, markets, motor parks, villages, streets, wards and polling units.

The farmer in Iseyin may not understand corporate accounting.

The trader in Saki may be more interested in the price of transporting goods.

The artisan in Ogbomoso may care more about electricity and access to credit.

The market woman in Oyo may simply want better roads, security and affordable living.

Adekanmbi’s campaign must therefore convert professional brilliance into a message ordinary people can understand.

He must become a familiar political figure beyond elite circles.

Political Movement Could Also Become Campaign Ammunition

Opponents may also raise questions about Adekanmbi’s political journey.

His movement across political alignments could be presented by rivals as evidence of political convenience.

His supporters will naturally argue that competence should matter more than party longevity.

But voters may still want to understand what political ideology Adekanmbi represents.

Is he primarily a product of the Ajimobi political family?

Is he now completely aligned with Makinde?

Does he possess an independent political philosophy?

What exactly does he stand for beyond succeeding Makinde?

A clear answer could help strengthen his identity before the election.

Religion and Political Balance Could Also Surface

Religion may also become part of the political conversation.

Oyo State has historically required careful political balancing between religious and regional interests.

Although competence should remain the most important criterion for leadership, political calculations around faith and representation often influence elections.

Adekanmbi’s campaign will therefore need to build a broad coalition that assures both Muslims and Christians, as well as all geographical zones, that they will have a meaningful place in his government.

The Godfatherism Question Could Become More Difficult

One of the strongest opposition narratives may revolve around the description of Adekanmbi as Makinde’s anointed successor.

The question could be simple:

If Adekanmbi becomes governor, who will really govern?

Will major decisions come from Agodi Government House or from the former governor?

Will appointments reflect Adekanmbi’s own judgment?

Will contracts and policies be independently determined?

Can he reverse a policy introduced by Makinde if he considers it unsuitable?

Can he openly disagree with his predecessor?

These questions may not disappear simply because Makinde says he does not intend to become a political godfather.

Adekanmbi will need to demonstrate independence through his own manifesto, political philosophy and policy direction.

APC Remains a Major Obstacle

The All Progressives Congress remains one of the biggest obstacles on Adekanmbi’s road to Agodi.

The APC may currently have its own internal challenges.

But Nigerian politics has shown repeatedly that divided political structures can reunite quickly when power is at stake.

The party also controls the Federal Government.

That gives it access to strong national political structures and influential personalities capable of reshaping the Oyo contest.

Adekanmbi and APM therefore cannot assume that APC’s current internal disagreements will remain unresolved until election day.

A divided opposition today could become a formidable coalition tomorrow.

Makinde’s Presidential Ambition Adds Another Layer

Makinde’s presidential ambition could also complicate the governorship contest.

With Makinde seeking national power while Adekanmbi seeks to succeed him in Oyo State, both elections could become politically interconnected.

Opponents may attempt to portray Makinde’s presidential ambition as part of a broader strategy to alter voting patterns in the South-West.

Such claims remain political allegations unless supported by evidence.

But once national politics becomes intensely polarised, Adekanmbi’s governorship campaign could be dragged into battles far beyond Oyo State.

That could either strengthen or complicate his chances.

Political Realignment Alone Will Not Be Enough

Political realignments are ongoing.

More influential personalities may still join the Adekanmbi camp.

Former commissioners, lawmakers, party leaders and powerful political actors can strengthen any governorship campaign.

But political elites alone do not decide elections.

There is another constituency that rarely attends strategy meetings.

Farmers.

Teachers.

Market women.

Students.

Commercial drivers.

Pensioners.

Civil servants.

Young graduates.

Artisans.

Small business owners.

Ordinary residents.

They have PVCs.

And their questions may be more important than any political endorsement.

Their question could simply be:

What has government done in my community, and why should I vote for continuity?

Strong Candidate, Powerful Backing, But Difficult Road Ahead

Bimbo Adekanmbi enters the 2027 governorship race with formidable advantages.

He is educated.

He is professionally accomplished.

He understands finance.

He possesses corporate experience.

He has served at the highest levels of government.

He comes from the Ajimobi political family.

He enjoys Makinde’s backing.

He has access to an existing political structure.

These are powerful advantages.

But none guarantees victory.

Adekanmbi must convince Oyo voters that continuity will not simply mean another four or eight years of the same political establishment.

He must show that his professional brilliance can be translated into factories, jobs, stronger local economies, improved healthcare, better education, improved security and development that reaches the ordinary citizen.

He must also address the geographical question.

If another Ibadan indigene becomes governor after 16 consecutive years of Ibadan leadership, what concrete guarantees will Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Oyo and Ibarapa receive?

That could become one of the defining questions of the election.

The road to Agodi Government House is therefore open for Bimbo Adekanmbi.

But it is not clear.

And it is certainly not smooth.

Between his impressive résumé and electoral victory stand millions of Oyo State residents whose political loyalty cannot simply be inherited from Governor Seyi Makinde.

They will ask questions.

And Adekanmbi’s ability to answer those questions convincingly, independently and with a statewide development agenda may ultimately determine whether Makinde succeeds in handing over Oyo State to his preferred successor in 2027.