Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Professor Adeolu Akande, ex- Chief of Staff to late Governor Abiola Ajimobi and immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has declared his intention to contest for the Oyo North Senatorial election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.
Oyoinsight reports that Professor Akande, a seasoned Political Scientist and Lawyer, reportedly embarked on a whirlwind consultation tour across the senatorial district over the weekend, formally signaling his ambition to succeed Senator Abdul Fatai Buhari.
This comes after Senator Buhari’s twelve-year tenure representing the district, primarily dominated by the Ogbomoso zone.
Akande is set to face stiff competition for the APC ticket. Among his challengers are Hon. Tajudeen Were, a serving member of the House of Representatives representing Saki West/Saki East/Atisbo Local Government, and Mrs. Hannah Ogunesan, a former Head of Service in Oyo State. Both hail from Saki West Local Government, intensifying the contest within the Oke Ogun region.
Meanwhile, uncertainty looms over the political plans of Senator Buhari. While speculations suggest he might pursue a fourth term in the Senate, there is also talk of his potential interest in the Oyo State governorship race. Having served as a Special Adviser and Commissioner under Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s administration, Buhari has been a consistent figure in the Red Chamber since 2015.
Professor Akande’s declaration adds a new dimension to the APC’s internal dynamics in Oyo North. The senatorial district, which includes influential figures such as former Minister of Communications, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, and former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan is now a hotspot for political maneuvering.
While Shittu has been vocal about his governorship ambitions, advocating for an Oke Ogun indigene to lead the state, Akande’s entry into the senatorial race is expected to further galvanize political activity in the district ahead of the APC primaries.
The unfolding events set the stage for a fiercely contested race that will shape the political future of Oyo North and possibly influence the trajectory of Oyo State politics.
