Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is battling political headwinds ahead of 2027, with his succession plan uncertain and members of his government reportedly worming up to the opposition, a source has said. “The problem is that the governor is in dire straits, and naturally, when a governor is exiting at the second term, his power wanes.
Unfortunately, he has a party that is in trouble,” said a source who requested anonymity. According to the source, Makinde, “would have had someone in mind, who would succeed him. But the problem he has now is that he is not even sure of whether his party will be able to present a candidate. So, he is looking at several options.
Some people are talking about the Accord Party and what have you.” The source contrasted Makinde’s situation with that of the All Progressives Congress ( APC). “Unfortunately for him, the other side, the APC have been able to do a consensus and presented a candidate and all agreed with the connivance of Madam former First Lady, who happens to be the rallying point and the person they have chosen, Sharaffadin Alli, who served as a Secretary to the State Government under the current Olubadan, Rashidi Ladoja, when he was the governor.”
The source alleged that Makinde attempted to block Alli’s political ambition. “The goal he wanted to score, when he asked Alli to come and be crowned as a king, he was being clever by half because, whenever you are crowned a traditional ruler, you cannot join politics. That a king cannot be partisan is in the bye law.
That was why Alli rejected it. The game is on now.” “Unfortunately, again for him, the one they thought would join the fray did not. That is the Minister of Power,” the source added. “It has to do with the dilemma of Governor Makinde. On the scale, Governor Makinde has done very well.”
The source said names being mentioned within the governor’s camp include “the man who owns Ilaji Sports Resort and another person.” But the bigger issue, the source insisted, is the political vehicle. “The main problem he has is not even the one to succeed him, but on what platform? “As I am talking with you now, he is in a big dilemma.
He cannot go to Wike; everything is not working out in terms of who succeeds him. The only man who seems to be in his camp is the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, whose soul has left the PDP.” The source claimed pressure is building. “There is a buildup of opposition against him. Everybody is now quiet.
Even some of his key people, including some members of the House of Assembly, some members of his cabinet, ate hobnobbing with the Sharafadeen Alli Group. They are all out for Makinde and his team in the 2027 election.” Meanwhile, Sharafadeen Alli, described as the APC consensus governorship candidate for Oyo State, has stepped up engagements.
“Today (Thursday) in fulfillment of my solemn commitment, I donated a brand new 18-seater bus, a modern public address system, and the sum of ₦10 million to the All Progressives Congress Secretariat (APC) in Oyo State,” Alli said in a statement. “I also ensured the salaries for the party secretariat workers were paid. The donation was received by the State Executive Council, led by Chief Moses Adeyemo,” he added.
