There is a growing sense within the Oyo State Government House in Agodi that Governor Seyi Makinde has moved beyond speculation and is now quietly aligning the pieces for his 2027 succession plan. Multiple sources familiar with internal discussions say the governor has settled on a preferred direction, with former Commissioner for Finance and Budget Planning, Bimbo Adekanmbi, emerging as the man to watch.
While no formal declaration has been made, those within the administration describe a steady, deliberate process of positioning. Adekanmbi’s recent elevation to lead the committee overseeing the Ibadan Airport upgrade is widely interpreted by insiders as more than a routine appointment. It is seen as a calculated move to place him at the center of a flagship project, one that will likely feature prominently in the administration’s legacy narrative heading into the next election cycle.
According to sources, the governor’s thinking is anchored on continuity and technical competence. Adekanmbi’s reputation as a financial expert and his familiarity with the state’s fiscal structure are said to have weighed heavily in his favor. His experience under the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi is also viewed within the inner circle as an asset rather than a liability, particularly in a political environment where cross-party appeal could prove decisive.
But the move is already stirring unease within the Peoples Democratic Party. Some long-standing party figures, who believe they have earned their place through years of loyalty, are reportedly uncomfortable with the rapid rise of a figure many still consider an outsider. Quiet meetings and backchannel conversations are said to be ongoing, with certain blocs weighing their options should the governor’s preference become more explicit.
Despite this, those close to Makinde insist the governor is unlikely to be swayed by internal resistance. The current strategy, they say, is to continue building Adekanmbi’s profile through visible roles and policy-linked assignments, allowing his candidacy to take shape organically before any formal political move is made.