Political permutations ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State intensified on Wednesday night following confirmation that Governor Seyi Makinde has identified former Commissioner for Finance, Bimbo Adekanmbi, as his preferred successor.
The development was confirmed by the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Michael Ogunshina, who said the governor had settled for Adekanmbi after internal consultations.
“Yes, it is confirmed. The governor has announced him,” Ogunshina said during a telephone conversation with journalists.
Adekanmbi, who previously served as finance commissioner under the late former governor Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is seen as a technocrat with cross-party appeal—an indication of the strategic calculations shaping the succession race.
Although Governor Makinde has yet to make a formal public declaration, party sources said the decision followed a series of high-level meetings with key stakeholders and political allies.
The reported endorsement has already stirred reactions within the PDP and across opposition ranks, with analysts suggesting it could trigger early alignments and possible dissent within the ruling party.
Observers note that backing a former appointee of an APC administration may signal Makinde’s intention to prioritise competence and electoral viability over strict party lineage—an approach that could reshape the political landscape ahead of 2027.
However, the move also raises questions about internal party cohesion, as other aspirants within the PDP may challenge the emergence of a preferred candidate.
With more than a year to the election cycle, the development marks one of the earliest clear signals of succession planning in Oyo State, setting the stage for what is expected to be an intense political contest.
