…Other Source reveals Adekanmbi, Debo Akande, Sangodoyin Were Recommended
Fresh details have emerged on the intense political consultations that culminated in the emergence of Abimbola Adekanmbi as the preferred governorship consensus candidate of Governor Seyi Makinde ahead of the 2027 governorship race in Oyo State.
Sources familiar with the high-level deliberations disclosed that the crucial meeting began on Tuesday night at Governor Makinde’s private residence and stretched through to Thursday before a final decision was reached.
According to an insider who spoke with Goalpoachernews, prominent stakeholders invited by the governor initially recommended two names for consideration, Hon. Adedeji Olajide, popularly known as Odidiomo, and former police commissioner, Fatai Owoseni.
Another source privy to the meeting declared that Abimbola Adekanmbi, Dr Debo Akande and Professor Dahud Kehinde Sangodoyin were recommended.
However, Governor Makinde reportedly declined both nominations and instead presented two fresh names to the stakeholders for consideration: Abimbola Adekanmbi, a Christian, and Saheed Fijabi, a Muslim.
The source revealed that, after extensive consultations, the stakeholders eventually settled for Adekanmbi as the consensus choice. Interestingly, some of the Muslim stakeholders at the meeting were said to have been among the first to support Adekanmbi’s candidacy.
The development, however, was said to have triggered discontent in some quarters, particularly with Fatai Owoseni. Sources disclosed that the former police commissioner was dissatisfied with the outcome of the consultations and subsequently resigned his appointment in Governor Makinde’s administration.
Another impeccable source who spoke to our correspondent explained that Governor Makinde’s repeated insistence on choosing “someone loyal to Oyo State” significantly influenced the decision-making process.
According to the source, Owoseni’s long years of service in Lagos and Benue states, as well as his perceived closeness to influential Lagos political power brokers, may have counted against him during the selection process.
Similarly, Hon. Adedeji Olajide was reportedly viewed within political circles as being closely aligned with the Chief of Staff to the President and some federal lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a factor believed to have contributed to the governor’s rejection of his nomination.
The consultations are understood to be part of broader underground political realignments ahead of the 2027 governorship contest in Oyo State, with insiders suggesting that Governor Makinde is determined to shape the succession process by backing a candidate he considers firmly rooted in the state’s political structure and loyal to its interests.
