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As OYO Guber Race Hots Up
As the race for the Oyo Government House, Agodi, 2027 hots up, the big question many are asking is will Governor Seyi Makinde’s preferred candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi of the Allied Peoples Movement, beat Alli Sharafadeen of the All Progressives Congress. The forthcoming election promises to be a unique event in the history of the state.
While many people are very optimistic about Governor Seyi Makinde’s chosen successor for the upcoming Oyo State election, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, who holds significant advantages over other contenders, some people still believe APC’s Alli Sharafadeen will come out victorious. And this is why?
Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli’s political strength as Oyo APC governorship candidate centers on his early consensus endorsement, strong institutional ties, especially to the federal government, and an established legislative record. Endorsed early by major party stakeholders in Oyo State to reduce primary friction, many believe he has the blessings of Mr. President. In fact, he also enjoys the backing of the Olubadan, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, who is like a father figure to Hon. Alli. The big story is that the President has instructed key stakeholders in the state to work together for Hon. Alli. The President has warned that the state must be won. Don’t forget that Governor Makinde and President Tinubu still have political scores to settle, and the President is not ready to lose the state either in the gubernatorial or presidential election. As this continues, some of Governor Makinde’s old friends, like FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fashola, have advised him to forget about the state in the upcoming elections. Senator Sharafadeen Alli hopes to win the Oyo State governorship election in 2027 by leveraging federal support from President Bola Tinubu’s administration, building party unity, and highlighting federal projects. Already, he has appointed experienced local leaders like Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe to run his campaign council and bolster grassroots support. Alli is working to unite angry or divided members within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
APM candidate, Adekanmbi on the other hand is a candidate with direct endorsement supporting the “Omituntun” continuity agenda.
People say Governor Makinde’s political structure will help Adekanmbi win the 2027 Oyo governorship election by providing grassroots support, legislative backing, and the transfer of loyalists into the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Currently, Governor Makinde remains very influential politically in Oyo State. He is committed to maintaining control over his political structure beyond his tenure. In fact, many of his close allies have said he wants to be a political leader in the southwest and a rallying point for upcoming political actors, but he cannot do so without cementing his base in Oyo State. The governor has told those willing to listen that the next gubernatorial election must be won by his party and candidate.
Governor Makinde has nurtured a significant portion of his political machine and directed state assembly members, local government chairmen, and key loyalists to support Adekanmbi under the APM framework. Key figures like SUBEB Chairman Nureni Adeniran have been deployed as Directors-General to drive the campaign machinery, ensuring operational continuity across all 33 LGA. Another factor working against other candidates is internal disagreements and defections in major parties like the All Progressives Congress and the Accord Party, which will aid Bimbo Adekanmbi. This chaos causes discontented members to shift to his party, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), strengthening his prospects for the 2027 election. Currently, disillusioned members from the APC, Accord Party, and ADC have defected in large numbers to join the APM rally at Olomi Market in Ibadan, boosting Adekanmbi’s grassroots support. Divisions and internal disputes within major opposition camps hinder their ability to present a united front against the current leadership or develop a viable alternative. Adekanmbi is positioned as the leader of the “Omituntun 3.0” agenda, promising voters continued prompt salary payments and infrastructure development. Makinde previously appointed Adekanmbi (a former Ajimobi-era official) to chair the upgrade committee for the Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport, leveraging his technical expertise to ease opposition barriers. There are rumors that some disqualified APC and Accord Party aspirants could indirectly work for Governor Seyi Makinde’s candidate.
Currently, Adekanmbi carries the political weight and momentum of Governor Seyi Makinde’s Omituntun 3.0 governance blueprint, aiming to keep core loyalists and voters satisfied with the incumbent administration. He also brings solid administrative and fiscal experience from his time as the Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Planning. He is uniquely positioned to blend the governance strengths and achievements from both the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Governor Seyi Makinde eras. For many observers who believe governance should be driven by competence rather than political calculations alone, Adekanmbi represents a strong option. His academic accomplishments, entrepreneurial background, administrative experience, and leadership credentials have earned him recognition both inside and outside government circles. His tenure as Commissioner for Finance during the Ajimobi administration remains one of his strongest credentials. At a challenging time for many state governments, he was associated with financial reforms aimed at strengthening fiscal discipline, improving internally generated revenue, and introducing innovative approaches to public finance management. Beyond public office, Adekanmbi has built an impressive network within the private sector and the international business community. Supporters believe these relationships could help attract greater investments, create employment opportunities, and further position Oyo State as a competitive economic destination.
In May 2026, Adekanmbi emerged as the consensus governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 Oyo State gubernatorial election after the party’s primary. Right now, Adekanmbi carries the political weight and momentum of Governor Seyi Makinde’s Omituntun 3.0 governance blueprint, aiming to keep core loyalists and voters satisfied with the incumbent administration.
Adekanmbi was born on April 5, 1973, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, to Reverend Olalere Adekanmbi and Madam Ashiyanbi Adekanmbi of Ile Ojo Seriki Compound, Beyerunka, Ibadan. He is the second child in the family. He began his early education at Orita Mefa Baptist Primary School, Ibadan, before attending Federal Government College, Okigwe, in what was then Imo State, for secondary school.
In 1991, he gained admission to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, graduating in 1998. He subsequently earned a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom, and later completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Strategy and Finance from Liverpool John Moores University.
In 2011, Adekanmbi joined the Oyo State Government as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor. He subsequently served as Acting Chairman of the Oyo State Board of Internal Revenue before being appointed Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning in 2016. He served in that role until 2019, overseeing the state’s budgeting, fiscal management, and financial administration. In 2020, he was appointed a pioneer member of the Digital Economy Policy Commission of the National Economic Summit Group (NESG).
Isaac Abimbade
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