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As the political atmosphere in Oyo State intensifies ahead of the 2027 governorship election, emerging indications point to a complex web of alignments, rivalries, and high-stakes negotiations among the state’s most influential political figures, with Governor Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, FNSE, allegedly exploring an unlikely succession arrangement with his erstwhile political adversary, former Senate Leader and Agbaakin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin.
This exclusive investigation, based on information gathered from multiple political sources within Ibadan and Abuja, reveals a fluid political landscape where old rivalries are being recalibrated, loyalties tested, and new power blocs formed as key actors position themselves for the post-Makinde era.
According to credible sources familiar with ongoing consultations, Governor Makinde and Senator Folarin are reportedly “planning to seal a deal” that could see the three-term senator emerge as Makinde’s preferred successor for the 2027 gubernatorial race, with the Governor’s current Chief of Staff, Otunba Olusegun Ogunwuyi from Ogbomoso, allegedly slated as deputy governor in what insiders describe as a bid for “continuation of 3.0.”
The sources claimed Governor Makinde “sees Oloye Teslim Kolawole Folarin as one of the strongest politicians in Oyo State,” a significant shift given their well-documented history of political confrontation.
This newspaper recalls that during a political debate organized by ace broadcaster Edmund Obilo on his program State Affairs at the International Conference Center, University of Ibadan, Governor Makinde and Senator Folarin were “seen in a loggerhead,” with Makinde allegedly accusing Folarin in connection with the death of Alhaji Lateef Salako, popularly known as Eleweomo, a former NURTW chairman in Oyo State. The allegation, which has been a recurring subject in Oyo politics, was not substantiated in court and has been consistently denied by Senator Folarin.
The alleged Makinde-Folarin rapprochement is reportedly unsettling the camp of Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, the incumbent Senator for Oyo South Senatorial District and the governorship candidate earlier endorsed by APC leaders as consensus flagbearer for 2027.
Sources close to Senator Folarin disclosed that the Agbaakin Olubadan “believes he was the one who empowered and sharpened the teeth of Senator Sharafadeen Alli, and now wants to bite him with those teeth.”
Senator Folarin, according to the sources, “sees Senator Sharafadeen Alli as a betrayal by accepting the position of the Governorship Candidate without his approval.” The former Senate Leader is further quoted as believing that “if Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli successfully becomes the Governor of Oyo State, he will become his leader in the political cycle,” a reversal of hierarchy he is unwilling to accept.
Senator Alli, a three-term local government chairman and former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, has not publicly responded to the alleged rift. However, his recent endorsement by APC apex leaders in Samonda, Ibadan, where he was declared the consensus candidate with reported backing from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, underscores the stakes.
In a related development, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, popularly called Penkelemesi, who “just resigned as Minister of Power last month,” is said to have secured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s conditional blessing to pursue the Oyo 2027 governorship ambition.
Information made available to this newspaper indicates that President Tinubu initially “refused to receive his resignation letter” and “avoided him for months” before the intervention of former Governor Olusegun Osoba, who reportedly told the President “to attend to Adelabu.”
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu eventually met with Adelabu, sources said he asked a direct question: “Are you sure you will win this election before you resign?” and further, “Are you sure you can win the primary?” Adelabu was said to have answered “yes,” after which the President “gave him the go-ahead, wished him the best, and received his resignation letter.”
Following Adelabu’s exit, President Tinubu, GCFR, has “now nominated another Ibadan-born politician, Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, as the new Minister of Power”.
Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin is a three-term senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District. He was first elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2007 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, during which he served as Senate Leader. He returned to the Senate for a third term from 2019 to 2023, having won the 2018 elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
His political trajectory, spanning both PDP and APC, and his traditional title as Agbaakin Olubadan of Ibadanland, make him one of the most entrenched political figures in Oyo State.
Despite the apparent flux, sources across party lines insist that “the people of Oyo State and Electorates are fully behind and in support of Governor Seyi Makinde with his creator backing, and whoever he presents as his successor will win the 2027 Oyo State Governorship elections.”
This perception of Makinde’s electoral influence is central to the current maneuvers. Analysts say any deal involving the governor would significantly alter the 2027 calculus, potentially bridging PDP and APC structures in a manner reminiscent of past realignments in Southwest politics.
As of today, May 2, 2026, none of the principals, Governor Seyi Makinde, Senator Teslim Folarin, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Chief Adelabu, has publicly confirmed or denied the specific claims contained in this report.
What remains clear is that Oyo State’s 2027 race is no longer a straight party affair but a contest of personalities, legacy, and strategic partnerships. With Makinde term-limited, the battle for his endorsement has become the biggest prize, capable of making or breaking political careers.
This newspaper will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more facts emerge.
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