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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has, for the first time, publicly explained the deep political and personal considerations that led him to anoint Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking during an exclusive media chat on Fresh FM in Ibadan at the weekend, the governor gave a candid account of how he arrived at what many have described as one of his administration’s most consequential decisions.
Makinde disclosed that before settling on Adekanmbi, two other prominent figures topped his list of possible successors: Dr. Adebowale ‘Debo’ Akande, an international agribusiness development expert and system builder, and Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, a seasoned administrator and political strategist.
The governor said both men possess exceptional competence and have contributed immensely to the modest achievements recorded by his administration in the last seven and a half years.
Recounting a private conversation with Dr. Akande, Makinde said he holds the agribusiness expert in very high esteem but had to be brutally frank with him about the demands of the moment.
According to the governor, he told Akande: “I called Debo and talked to him. I said we have done a lot together, and I respect you. But you are not rugged enough to survive the disaster ocean.”
The governor’s choice of words has since sparked intense political debate, bringing to the fore the delicate balance between technocratic brilliance and political ruggedness in a state as politically complex as Oyo.
Dr. Akande, who has built an outstanding career in agribusiness development, agricultural investment, institutional reforms and international development cooperation, is widely regarded as one of the architects of Oyo State’s agribusiness revolution.
Through his strategic roles at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) and as a key adviser to the Makinde administration, he has driven initiatives that strengthened agricultural value chains, attracted local and foreign investments, empowered farmers and expanded economic opportunities for thousands of residents.
His contributions have earned him recognition as one of the most impactful technocrats in the current administration, with many analysts crediting him for positioning agriculture as a viable driver of economic growth, job creation and food security in Oyo State.
It is against this background that Makinde’s acknowledgement of Akande as his initial first choice becomes even more significant. It underscores the depth of their working relationship and the governor’s appreciation of Akande’s professional contributions.
However, Makinde argued that governance, especially at this critical phase of Oyo State’s political evolution, requires more than technical expertise and institutional achievements.
The governor explained that following the fallout with the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyo State has found itself in a politically charged atmosphere that demands a successor with extraordinary political resilience, endurance and combat-readiness.
He noted that while Akande excels in policy formulation and implementation, the present political climate requires a fighter, someone who can withstand intense opposition, navigate treacherous political waters and still keep the ship of state steady.
Makinde said his final choice, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, combines professional competence with political toughness.
He described Adekanmbi as a chartered accountant of high repute, an intellectually sound administrator and a man with vast experience in both public and private sector management, citing his strategic role in the ongoing upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, to international standard as one of his many contributions to the state.
Beyond credentials, Makinde said he considered physical energy, temperament, emotional intelligence, political experience and the capacity to bear the enormous burden of governing over seven million people.
The governor was quick to clarify that his assessment was not a judgment on Akande’s capacity to govern, but a realistic evaluation of who is best equipped to confront the kind of fierce political opposition that his camp currently faces.
“This is not about ability to govern. It is about who can stand the kind of political opposition that we have found ourselves in as a state after the fallout with the Federal Government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” a source close to the governor quoted him as saying.
For Dr. Debo Akande, his legacy as a reformer and development expert remains intact and widely respected. For Hon. Adekanmbi, the governor’s endorsement presents both an opportunity and a challenge to prove that he possesses not just the ruggedness Makinde spoke about, but also the vision and competence to build on the foundation laid.
As the countdown to the 2027 general election begins and political activities intensify across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State, Makinde’s revelation offers a rare window into the inner workings of power, succession planning and the difficult choices leaders must make.
Ultimately, the electorate will be the final arbiter, tasked with determining which candidate truly possesses the competence, character, resilience and capacity to deliver responsible, inclusive and sustainable governance to the people of Oyo State.
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