The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebowale Ogundoyin, has formally joined the 2027 governorship race, declaring his intention to contest on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
themomentng reports that Ogundoyin, who hails from the Ibarapa geopolitical zone of the state, made his declaration on Sunday during a stakeholders’ meeting of the PDP held in Igbo-Ora, Ibarapa Central Local Government Area.
The meeting, which was attended by key political figures in the zone, reportedly turned into a platform where party stakeholders unanimously urged the Speaker to throw his hat into the ring ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among those present were a member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, Anthony Adepoju; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo; and the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke.
Also in attendance were the PDP Chairman for Oyo South Senatorial District, Alhaji Kamoru Adeyemi, party chairmen across the three Ibarapa local government areas, as well as local government chairmen including Kazeem Arogundade (Ibarapa East), Lateef Akorede (Ibarapa North), and Olusola Adeleke (Ibarapa Central), among other party stakeholders.
The meeting, which was originally convened to deliberate on the planned visit of Governor Seyi Makinde to the Ibarapa zone, took a different turn as stakeholders seized the opportunity to press for Ogundoyin’s candidacy, citing the need for the zone to produce the next governor of the state.
Responding to the calls, Ogundoyin confirmed his readiness to contest the governorship election.
He said he would heed the stakeholders’ appeal and participate in the race, stating clearly that his ambition would be pursued under the PDP.
Ogundoyin currently represents Ibarapa East State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly and has served as Speaker since 2019.
His declaration signals the beginning of political permutations within the PDP in Oyo State, as aspirants and stakeholders begin early positioning ahead of the 2027 polls.
