Fresh political signals emerging from the Oyo State power circle suggest that Governor Seyi Makinde may have finally settled for former Commissioner for Finance and current Chairman of the Ibadan Airport Upgrade Committee, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The development, which is already generating intense conversations within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the opposition camp, and among political stakeholders across the state, was reportedly confirmed by the Oyo State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Michael Ogunsina, during an exclusive phone conversation on Wednesday night.
Though Governor Makinde has yet to make any official public declaration, insiders within the political structure say consultations have reached an advanced stage, with Adekanmbi’s name increasingly dominating succession discussions in the state.
“Yes, it is confirmed, the governor has announced him,” Ogunsina was quoted as saying.
The reported endorsement is coming at a time when political alignments and strategic meetings have intensified ahead of the 2027 governorship race, especially within the ruling PDP where several loyalists and technocrats have been positioning themselves for the top seat.
Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, a respected finance expert and former Deputy Chief of Staff under the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, has in recent months gained significant visibility within Oyo’s political landscape. His appointment to oversee the Ibadan Airport Upgrade Project further fueled speculations that he enjoys the confidence of Governor Makinde and key power brokers within the administration.
Political observers believe the move, if eventually confirmed officially, may reshape the dynamics of the 2027 race in Oyo State, particularly within the PDP where several aspirants are believed to be nursing governorship ambitions.
Adekanmbi’s growing influence has continued to attract mixed reactions across political camps. While supporters describe him as a technocrat with administrative experience and fiscal competence, others see his emergence as part of a broader political realignment aimed at sustaining the continuity of Makinde’s governance philosophy beyond 2027.
Sources within the party hinted that consultations are still ongoing with elders, stakeholders, and critical interest groups across the state, as the governor is said to be prioritizing competence, loyalty, and continuity in deciding who succeeds him.
The unfolding development is expected to trigger further reactions in the coming days as political actors begin fresh calculations ahead of what many observers have described as one of the most anticipated succession battles in Oyo State’s recent history.
