As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 Oyo State governorship election, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Abimbola Bimbo Adekanmbi of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) are emerging as two prominent figures in the contest to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde.
The two candidates bring different political assets to the race. Alli has legislative experience, a history of service in local and state government, and the organisational backing of the APC. Adekanmbi, a former Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, brings financial and administrative experience, alongside the political advantage of Governor Makinde’s public support.
However, neither candidate’s credentials or political connections automatically translate into electoral victory. Their prospects will depend on how effectively they mobilise voters, manage party interests, communicate their programmes and respond to the concerns of residents across Oyo State.
Alli: Experience, party structure and political networks
Alli enters the contest with a substantial record of political service. He has served as chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Secretary to the Oyo State Government and Chief of Staff under former Governor Rashidi Ladoja. He currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
His emergence as the APC governorship candidate followed the party’s primary election in 2026. The party subsequently unveiled him as its standard-bearer for the 2027 election. These developments give him the advantage of an established political platform with structures extending beyond Ibadan.
The APC’s presence at both state and federal levels could also be an important factor. Its national political network offers opportunities for coordination, fundraising, campaign organisation and engagement with party stakeholders across the state.
Alli’s legislative experience may further strengthen his appeal among voters who value familiarity with government institutions, lawmaking and public administration. His previous roles in local and state government also give him a record against which voters can assess his claims about governance.
Nevertheless, experience alone will not settle the contest. Alli must demonstrate how his years in public office have prepared him to address Oyo State’s pressing challenges, including security, unemployment, infrastructure, healthcare, education and the cost of living.
For now, he is lucky that the whole of Oyo APC seem to be now united. All the tendencies – Senator Teslim Folarin, Senator Fatai Buhari, Chief Mrs Florence Ajimobi, Barrister Akeem Agbaje and others are all working from a united front. Even, the grapevine is bubbling with the probability of former Power Minister, Chief Adebayo Adelabu joining the Sharafadeen Alli campaign train faithfully.
Alli’s potential weaknesses
One of Alli’s major challenges will be securing and sustaining unity within the APC. Although he emerged as the party’s candidate, the governorship primary involved other aspirants, and the party has publicly emphasised reconciliation and mobilisation. Turning that appeal into sustained cooperation among party leaders, former aspirants and grassroots supporters will be essential. And somehow, this huddle has been crossed by him.
He must also contend with the wider political implications of running on the APC platform. Voters may assess him not only on his personal record but also on the performance of the party at the federal level and its policies affecting households and businesses.
Furthermore, a strong political presence in Ibadan and Oyo South does not automatically guarantee equivalent support across Oyo North, Oyo Central and other communities. Alli will need to show that his agenda addresses the distinct concerns of farmers, traders, young people, workers and residents in all parts of the state.
Adekanmbi: Financial expertise and the continuity question
Adekanmbi approaches the election with a different set of strengths. As a former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State, he has experience in public finance and government administration. His professional background could appeal to voters concerned about fiscal discipline, economic growth, revenue generation and the effective use of public resources.
He has outlined an economic vision that includes leveraging the state’s human capital, agricultural potential and technology ecosystem. In an interview reported in September 2026, he discussed connecting these assets to digital markets, credit opportunities and employment creation.
His association with the Makinde administration could also provide an advantage. The governor’s public support may help Adekanmbi build relationships with political stakeholders and present himself as a candidate capable of maintaining policies and programmes that the current administration’s supporters consider valuable.
In May 2026, the APM adopted Adekanmbi as its consensus governorship candidate. His emergence has therefore placed him at the centre of the political debate over continuity and succession in Oyo State.
For Adekanmbi, the task is to convince voters that his financial and administrative experience can translate into measurable improvements in living standards, public services and economic opportunities.
His much publicized alliance with Boye Nation is also an advantage. He stands the chance of winning more youths to support his political ambition.
Adekanmbi’s potential weaknesses
The most obvious challenge is the APM’s ability to compete with the APC’s established political machinery. A candidate may have strong professional credentials and influential endorsements, but a governorship campaign also requires effective ward-level organisation, campaign funding, polling-unit agents and sustained engagement with voters throughout the state.
Adekanmbi must therefore demonstrate that the APM can build and maintain a broad electoral coalition beyond the political networks currently supporting his candidacy.
Another challenge is the question of political independence. His association with Makinde has generated debate over whether he would pursue an independent governing agenda or largely continue the incumbent governor’s policies. Adekanmbi has publicly rejected suggestions that he would serve as a political “stooge” and has pledged to provide independent, people-focused leadership.
That assurance makes the issue a central test of his candidacy. He will need to explain which policies he would retain, which he would change and what new initiatives he would introduce.
His experience in public finance could be an asset, but it also places a premium on clear explanations of his previous stewardship and how he would apply the lessons of that experience to future governance.
What could determine their chances?
Several factors could shape the relative prospects of both candidates.
- Party organisation and grassroots mobilisation
The APC’s established structures could give Alli an organisational advantage. Adekanmbi, meanwhile, will need to show that the APM can build a sufficiently broad network of supporters and campaign workers across the state.
- Political alliances and endorsements
Alli’s party relationships and Adekanmbi’s association with the incumbent governor could influence political alignments. However, endorsements should not be treated as proof that supporters will automatically transfer their loyalty to a candidate.
- Voter perception of governance
Voters will assess the candidates’ records, proposed policies and capacity to deliver. Alli will need to make a persuasive case based on his years in public service, while Adekanmbi will need to explain how his financial and administrative experience would improve the state’s economic prospects.
- Appeal beyond established political strongholds
The election will require each candidate to reach voters across all three senatorial districts. Their ability to connect with communities beyond their most familiar political networks may prove as important as endorsements from prominent figures.
- The wider electoral field
Although Alli and Adekanmbi are important contenders, the election is not limited to the APC and APM. INEC’s published list reportedly includes 16 candidates, among them contenders from Accord, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The strength of these other candidates, their regional support and the alliances they form could influence the wider contest, including the distribution of votes between the two candidates examined here.
The verdict: A contest still to be decided
Alli’s strongest assets are his political experience, established party platform and access to the APC’s organisational network. His principal challenges include maintaining party unity, demonstrating statewide appeal and persuading voters that his record and proposals meet their expectations.
Adekanmbi’s strengths include his financial and administrative background, his economic policy messaging and the political support associated with the outgoing governor. His key challenges include expanding the APM’s grassroots reach, establishing a distinct political identity and convincing voters that his proposed agenda can deliver tangible results.
At this stage, the available information supports a comparison of their political advantages and vulnerabilities, but not a confident prediction of the eventual winner. Without credible, transparent polling and stronger evidence of each candidate’s support across the state, declaring either man the likely victor would be premature.
Ultimately, the contest for Agodi Government House will be determined not simply by political pedigree, party machinery or endorsements, but by the candidates’ ability to win the confidence of Oyo State voters.
