2027: Fierce political showdown as eight Ibadan heavyweights and three others battle for Oyo APC governorship ticket amid intense rivalry

No fewer than 11 aspirants have purchased expression of interest and nomination forms under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, according to reports.

Eight of the aspirants are from Ibadan, the state capital, while two others are from the Oke Ogun geopolitical zone, and one from Ogbomoso.

It was also gathered that all 11 aspirants have undergone screening by the APC party in Abuja.

The aspirants include Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Bayo Adelabu, Dr Adewale Kareem, Barrister Akeem Agbaje, Engineer Akeem Alao, Dr Ayobami Lam-Adesina, Prince Asanke Asatola, and Ololade Usman—all from Ibadan.

Others are Senator Abdulfatai Buhari from Ogbomoso, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin from Oke Ogun, and Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, also from Oke Ogun.

Oyo State is divided into five political zones—Ibadan, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun, and Oyo—covering its 33 local government areas.

Since the return of democracy in 1999, most governors of the state have emerged from Ibadan, except the late Adebayo Alao-Akala, who came from Ogbomoso and governed between 2007 and 2011.

Other past governors include the late Lamidi Adesina (1999–2003), Rashidi Ladoja (2003–2007), and the late Abiola Ajimobi (2011–2019), all of whom have strong ties to Ibadan. The current governor, Seyi Makinde, is from Ona Ara Local Government Area.

This cycle, the APC governorship race is shaping up as a contest among eight aspirants from Ibadan, two from Oke Ogun, and one from Ogbomoso, with intense political maneuvering already underway.

An APC chieftain in Ibadan reportedly disclosed that the party may be moving towards selecting a consensus candidate, claiming that one aspirant has already been agreed upon internally.

However, he did not disclose the name of the alleged consensus candidate.

Meanwhile, a senior lecturer at Lead City University, Ibadan, Dr Bayonle Busari, described the large number of aspirants as a positive development, noting that the focus should be on competence rather than geographical origin.

He emphasized that many of the contenders are highly qualified professionals, including former ministers, technocrats, engineers, and financial experts, adding that leadership should be assessed based on competence, experience, and ability to deliver meaningful development to the state.