Key figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State have thrown their support behind Dr Debo Akande as the party’s preferred candidate for the upcoming governorship race.
The endorsement emerged from a high‑level consultative meeting held in Ibadan, where senior party stakeholders gathered to deliberate on the governorship ticket. Earlier reports had suggested that former commissioner Bimbo Adekanmbi and former local government chairwoman Shared Akinade Fijabi were the two frontrunners under consideration. Party insiders, however, dismissed those claims as inaccurate, describing them as “misleading” and “inconsistent with what transpired at the parley.”
A source present at the meeting said the narrative that Adekanmbi and Fijabi were the final contenders was a “fabrication designed to launder a decision made outside the room.” According to the same source, Akande consistently led the voting throughout the consultation process. In the initial inner‑caucus session he secured three votes on day one and increased his tally to four on day two. When the consultation was expanded to include 21 party stakeholders, Akande received 20 votes, a result described by participants as near‑unanimous.
Meeting attendees highlighted Akande’s competence, loyalty to the PDP and extensive political experience as the chief reasons for his endorsement. Former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu, voiced her support openly, stating, “The only person who has contributed and sacrificed so much for this government is Dr Debo Akande.” Sunmonu is reported to have maintained her stance throughout the discussions, resisting any effort to elevate Adekanmbi over Akande.
Despite the overwhelming backing, a separate source indicated that some influential interests may be seeking to overturn the consensus in favour of another aspirant. The same source noted that these manoeuvres could undermine the collective decision of the stakeholders.
Supporters of Akande argue that he remains the most credible and electable option for the PDP in Oyo State. They point to his record of service, longstanding loyalty to the party and broad acceptance across grassroots and political structures as evidence of his suitability for the governorship.
The PDP’s internal selection process underscores the factional dynamics that often shape Nigerian party politics. As the party moves toward its primary election, the degree to which the endorsement of Akande will hold against possible internal challenges will be pivotal for both the PDP’s prospects in Oyo State and the broader contest for the governorship.
The outcome of the PDP primary will likely set the tone for the party’s campaign strategy ahead of the state election, influencing alliances, voter mobilisation efforts and the overall competitiveness of the race.
