Oyo 2027: Stakeholders Back Debo Akande As PDP Consensus Governorship Candidate
•By Admin
IBADAN — FRESH details have emerged from a high-level consultation involving key stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, with multiple sources indicating that Dr. Debo Akande emerged as the overwhelming choice of party leaders for the party’s 2027 governorship ticket.
Sources familiar with the closed-door meeting dismissed reports claiming that Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi and another aspirant were the final contenders considered during the deliberations, describing such narratives as misleading and inconsistent with what transpired at the meeting.
“The story that Fijabi and Adekanmbi were the final two is a fabrication,” a senior party source said. “It was designed to launder a decision made outside the room.”
According to insiders, Akande consistently ranked ahead of other aspirants throughout the consultation process.
In the initial inner caucus session, he reportedly secured three votes on the first day before increasing his tally to four votes on the second day. When the consultation was expanded to include 21 stakeholders, Akande was said to have received 20 votes, reflecting what sources described as near-unanimous support among influential party leaders.
Participants at the meeting reportedly cited Akande’s competence, loyalty to the party, and political experience as major factors behind the strong endorsement.
One of the notable interventions during the deliberations reportedly came from a former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu, who openly backed Akande’s candidacy.
According to sources at the meeting, Sunmonu stated: “The only person who has contributed and sacrificed so much for this government is Dr. Debo Akande.”
Insiders said she maintained her position throughout the discussions and resisted efforts to push the candidacy of Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi ahead of Akande.
A participant at the meeting summarized the mood of the stakeholders, saying: “The ticket was his to lose.”
The source, however, alleged that despite Akande’s overwhelming support, there were indications that some influential political interests were attempting to override the consensus reached by the stakeholders in favour of another aspirant.
Supporters of Akande argue that he remains the most credible and electable option for the PDP ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, citing his contributions to governance, longstanding loyalty to the party, and acceptance across grassroots and political structures in the state.
Political observers say the outcome of the consultation sends a strong signal about the direction of opinion within the party, noting that a candidate securing 20 out of 21 stakeholder votes reflects broad confidence and unity among party leaders.
Party members are now urging the PDP leadership to respect the outcome of the consultation and ensure that the party’s eventual governorship candidate reflects the wishes of the majority of stakeholders.
For many within the party, the message from the meeting appears clear: Dr. Debo Akande has emerged as the consensus choice to fly the PDP flag in the 2027 Oyo State governorship election.
•INDEPENDENTNG.