Former Minister of Communications and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adebayo Shittu, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
Shittu, who spoke on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, emphasized that his wealth of political experience, resources, and vision makes him the most qualified candidate to lead the state.
“As of today, I am the only one who has a manifesto of what exactly I want to do when I get to government. I am ready for government. Even if I get to government today, I already know and have a clear idea. I want to transform Oyo State like it had never happened before,” Shittu declared.
Over Four Decades in Politics
Shittu’s political journey spans more than 40 years. His career began in 1979, when at just 26 years old, he was elected into the old Oyo House of Assembly. That same year, he served as Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Home Affairs.
He later became the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State before taking on a national role as the Minister of Communications (2015–2019) under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Fair Share for Oke-Ogun
An indigene of Oke-Ogun, Shittu argued that his region has been sidelined in Oyo politics for decades. While Ibadan and Ogbomosho have produced governors, Oke-Ogun—with its 10 local government areas—has never had the opportunity.
“The thing must rotate; it cannot be Ibadan alone all the time. We are in a democracy, not in a dictatorship. Enough is enough for Ibadan,” he stressed.
On Age and Capacity
At 72 years old, Shittu dismissed concerns about his age, insisting that leadership should be measured by intelligence, capacity, and dynamism, not just years.
“Age is just a number. If you want to compare me, do that in terms of intelligence and dynamism. I’m as strong as, if not stronger than, anyone my age,” he affirmed.
As the race for the 2027 Oyo governorship election takes shape, Shittu has positioned himself as a strong contender with a clear manifesto, political pedigree, and a bold call for inclusiveness in leadership.
Jamflash will continue to follow this story and bring you updates on the 2027 election campaigns in Oyo State.
