It is Oke-Ogun’s turn to produce Oyo's next governor – Ex-minister Shittu

• Adebayo Shittu disclosed Oke-Ogun’s determination to produce the next governor of Oyo State in the 2027 elections
• Shittu criticised Ibadan’s dominance in Oyo State politics and calls for a more inclusive political process
• He added that Oke-Ogun APC leaders should strategise to ensure the region’s candidate emerges as governor in 2027

Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has stated that the Oke-Ogun region in Oyo State is determined to produce the next governor of the state in the 2027 elections. 

He emphasised that the region will not settle for the deputy governorship position and that political leaders from the zone, especially those in the All Progressives Congress (APC), have begun strategic discussions to ensure the region’s candidate emerges as the governor.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Monday, December 23, Shittu revealed that recent meetings were held, including one at the residence of the former Deputy Governor, Iyiola Oladokun, in Ado Awaye. 

During these meetings, APC leaders from Oke-Ogun reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that other regions, particularly Ibadan, should relinquish the governorship position in the interest of fairness.

Shittu pointed out that Ibadan has had a dominant influence on the political leadership of Oyo State, having produced four out of the five governors since the return to democracy in 1999. 

These include Lam Adesina, Rashidi Ladoja, Abiola Ajimobi, and the current governor, Seyi Makinde. He argued that it is now time for Oke-Ogun to take a turn at the governorship.

“It’s time for Ibadan to concede to Oke-Ogun. In the last 24 years, four governors from Ibadan have governed this state. 

“A situation where the deputy governorship is permanently zoned to Oke-Ogun is unacceptable and doesn’t serve the interests of our party or the state itself,” Shittu said.

Shittu also addressed rumours about Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, who is an Ibadan native, potentially mobilising support for the 2027 governorship election. Adelabu had left the APC for another party after failing to secure the APC ticket in both 2019 and 2023. 

Shittu criticised this move, stating that it would be unjust for anyone to think that other regions should be excluded from the race.

“For Adelabu, who even left our party for another party because he didn’t get the APC ticket in 2019 and again in 2023, to think that those of us from other zones are irrelevant—we will not allow it. It would be most unfair.”

He further rejected the argument that Ibadan’s population size justifies its dominance in governorship elections, arguing that not all residents of Ibadan are indigenous to the city. 

Shittu further stated, “Ibadan making up over 50 percent of Oyo State’s population is a flawed argument. Can anyone confidently say that over 50 percent of residents in Ibadan are Ibadan indigenes? To assume that everyone residing in Ibadan would vote for an Ibadan candidate is illogical.”

Shittu drew a comparison with national politics, noting that despite northern Nigeria's larger population, the region had conceded the Presidency to a Yoruba candidate in the past, which defied the logic of population size.

“At the national level, northerners are more populous than southerners, yet they conceded to a Yoruba man. If they followed that flawed logic of numbers, they wouldn’t have needed Yoruba votes to win,” he added.

Governor Makinde confirms role in choosing his successor ahead of 2027 elections

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde confirmed his intention to actively participate in the choice of his successor when his term wraps up in 2027.

This was disclosed during a meeting in the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor's Office in Ibadan, on Thursday, October 3.