By Oyo Amebo
In the unfolding political theatre ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, the stage is gradually filling with familiar actors, ambitious newcomers and seasoned technocrats.
The atmosphere for governorship contest which remains not up to a year, has been energised following recent signals from Governor Seyi Makinde encouraging members of his political family and trusted associates to openly declare their intentions to succeed him.
The governor’s remarks, widely interpreted as a call for internal democratic engagement within the ruling structure, have effectively triggered early manoeuvres among aspirants.
In politics, moments arrive when preparation meets opportunity and quiet competence begins to speak louder than political noise.
As the permutations ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State begin to gather momentum, one figure whose name is steadily entering serious conversations is Mr Bimbo Adekanmbi, a technocrat, former Commissioner for Finance and respected policy strategist whose record in public service continues to command attention.
Adekanmbi is believed represents a blend of economic competence, administrative experience and measured leadership.
For those familiar with the trajectory of governance in the state over the past decade, Adekanmbi is far from an unfamiliar name. His stewardship as Commissioner for Finance under the late former governor Abiola Ajimobi remains widely remembered as one of the most disciplined periods in the management of Oyo State’s finances.
At a time when many subnational governments struggled with fiscal instability, his tenure stood out for its commitment to financial prudence, institutional reforms and strategic economic planning.
Those who worked closely with him during that period often recall a commissioner who approached public finance with the precision of an economist and the responsibility of a custodian.
Revenue frameworks were strengthened, fiscal accountability was prioritised and the culture of financial discipline was reinforced within government institutions.
It was a performance that not only stabilised the state’s financial outlook but also earned him enduring respect within policy and governance circles.
Today, Adekanmbi continues to remain relevant within the state’s development space as Chairman of the committee overseeing the upgrade of Ibadan Airport, a strategic infrastructure project expected to enhance the economic prospects of the state and strengthen its position as a commercial hub in South-West Nigeria.
Against this backdrop, the growing suggestion that Adekanmbi may eventually step forward to contest the governorship election is beginning to generate interest among those who believe the next phase of leadership in Oyo State will require not only political skill but also deep economic insight and governance experience.
In Nigeria’s political vocabulary, the phrase “Emi Lo Kan” — loosely translated as “it is my turn” — has come to symbolise ambition and the quest for leadership.
Yet if Bimbo Adekanmbi eventually embraces that sentiment, it may well carry a meaning rooted not in entitlement but in preparedness, the quiet confidence of a public servant whose years of experience have been spent understanding the mechanics of governance and the demands of development.
In that sense, the unfolding conversation around the 2027 governorship race may gradually evolve into something more profound: a question of who is best prepared to lead Oyo State into its next chapter.
And increasingly, many are beginning to argue that Adekanmbi’s name deserves a place in that conversation.
