Billboards, Ballots and 2027: Inside the High-Stakes Race for Oyo State as Adegoke and Ajadi Step Into the Spotlight
With the amendment of Nigeria’s Electoral Act now signed into law by President , the political temperature across the country has unmistakably shifted. Although 2027 may still appear distant on the calendar, in political reality the countdown has begun. In Oyo State, the atmosphere is no longer casual. It is a season of strategic alertness, calculated visibility, and intense groundwork. Aspirants are quietly and loudly assembling their political machinery, consolidating grassroots structures, and positioning themselves for what promises to be one of the most competitive governorship races in recent history.
The Oyo State political arena is gradually transforming into a battleground of ideas, influence, and image projection. Party loyalists are recalibrating alliances, stakeholders are testing loyalties, and potential candidates are working tirelessly to secure their respective party tickets. The removal of indirect primaries in the amended electoral framework has significantly altered the internal dynamics of party politics. Popularity, public engagement, and direct connection with party members now matter more than ever. The era of heavily brokered delegate politics is giving way to a more transparent and participatory process.
One undeniable truth in this evolving landscape is that canvassing, branding, and public visibility cannot be overemphasized. Politics has become as much about perception as policy. Public awareness outside party caucuses now plays a decisive role in shaping political momentum. In Oyo State—particularly in Ibadan, the capital—this shift is already visible.
Public Visibility as Political Capital
In the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), two aspirants have distinguished themselves through remarkable public visibility: Chief Adegboyega Adegoke and Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo. Their presence across Ibadan’s major roads, junctions, and commercial hubs is difficult to ignore. From Bodija to Dugbe, from Ring Road to Challenge, their billboards have become part of the urban political landscape.
While it may be premature to conclude that visibility equates to electoral success, it undeniably signals seriousness of intent. Even without traversing all five geopolitical zones of Oyo State—Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, and Ibarapa—it is evident that within Ibadan metropolis, these two aspirants have boldly pitched their brands for public consideration.
It is important to emphasize that they are not the only contenders. Oyo State politics is historically layered and competitive, and several other aspirants across parties are building their structures quietly. However, in terms of immediate and sustained outdoor presence, Adegoke and Ajadi currently dominate the public space.
Chief Adegboyega Adegoke: The “Solutions 2027” Technocrat
Chief Adegboyega Adegoke, popularly known by his campaign mantra “Solutions 2027,” represents a technocratic brand of politics rooted in corporate governance and financial expertise. Born on February 4, 1964, to Olooye Sakariyau Adebayo Adigun Adegoke and Deaconess Florence Alaba Aweni Adegoke, he hails from a distinguished Ibadan lineage. He is the Mogaji of the Abase Family of Oke-Gege, Ibadan, and currently holds the traditional title of Aare-Onibon Balogun of Ibadanland.
Professionally, Adegoke is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and an alumnus of as well as the Advanced Leadership Programme at . With over three decades of experience spanning oil and gas, financial services, audit and assurance, and corporate restructuring, he brings to politics a background anchored in strategic management, mergers and acquisitions, and business turnaround initiatives.
His corporate trajectory includes serving as Chairman of Aweni Communication Services Limited, owners of Solution 93.9 FM. This position has further amplified his visibility within Ibadan’s socio-political and media circles. Beyond business, his influence in traditional and civic structures reinforces his grassroots relevance.
Adegoke’s campaign narrative appears to lean heavily on competence, structure, and pragmatic governance. The “Solutions 2027” slogan is crafted to project problem-solving leadership at a time when citizens are increasingly demanding tangible economic and infrastructural improvements.
Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo: Entrepreneurial Politics and Cross-State Ambition
Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo presents a different political trajectory—one that merges entrepreneurship, philanthropy, media engagement, and active political contestation. A distinguished businessman, journalist, and philanthropist, Ajadi has built a diversified conglomerate under Bullion Go-Neat Global Limited.
As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, he oversees interests spanning beverage manufacturing (including Coco Samba herbal drinks), real estate (Bullion Properties), entertainment (Bullion Records), financial services (BullionMonie), automobile distribution, and sports promotion—particularly boxing. His business footprint has earned him recognition in entrepreneurial and youth empowerment circles.
However, what has generated significant public discussion is his political mobility. Ajadi previously contested the Ogun State governorship election in 2023 under the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). His decision to resign from that party and now reposition himself within Oyo State politics has sparked debates about political mobility, residency qualifications, and the ethics of cross-state candidacy.
From a constitutional standpoint, Nigeria’s legal framework provides that a governorship aspirant must be a Nigerian citizen by birth, at least 35 years old, a member of a political party, and sponsored by that party, among other requirements. The Constitution does not explicitly prohibit contesting in a different state, provided the aspirant meets residency and party conditions. Nonetheless, beyond legality lies the moral and political question of grassroots identity and long-term engagement with local stakeholders. In Nigerian politics, perception often carries as much weight as legality.
Ajadi’s adoption of the “Omititun 3.0” mantra—associated with the current administration’s developmental slogan—has further fueled speculation about his strategic positioning within Oyo’s power structure. Rumours suggesting possible alignment with influential political figures remain speculative, but they underscore the strategic chess game unfolding ahead of 2027.
Politics Beyond Party Structures: The Power of Public Awareness
The amended electoral framework has effectively expanded the arena of political engagement beyond closed-door party meetings. Public awareness, civic education, and issue-based discourse now shape the trajectory of aspirants long before party primaries take place.
In today’s digital age, billboards are only one aspect of political communication. Social media campaigns, community town halls, youth engagement forums, and policy debates increasingly determine voter perception. The electorate—particularly young voters—are demanding clarity on employment, infrastructure, healthcare, security, and fiscal management.
Political aspirants who fail to engage citizens beyond party loyalists risk losing the narrative. Public awareness outside party politics is not merely supportive; it is foundational. It determines who commands attention, who shapes discourse, and who builds cross-party goodwill.
The Economics of Political Advertising
Another dimension often overlooked is the economic ripple effect of political season. As 2027 approaches, advertising practitioners, outdoor media firms, and event planners are already anticipating a surge in demand. Billboard spaces across Ibadan and major towns in Oyo State will become premium commodities. Competition for strategic locations will intensify, driving up costs and fueling revenue for the advertising sector.
This cycle reflects a broader reality: elections are not only political events but economic seasons. From media houses to logistics companies, from branding agencies to security outfits, multiple sectors benefit from the political build-up.
Beyond Two Names: A Competitive Field Ahead
While Chief Adegboyega Adegoke and Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo currently dominate public visibility within Ibadan, they are far from the only aspirants eyeing the Oyo State Government House. Other political figures across PDP and rival parties are quietly consolidating their grassroots networks. Some may choose strategic silence until the official electoral calendar activates.
Oyo State has historically produced complex and competitive governorship contests. No single aspirant can rely solely on billboards or elite endorsements. Ultimately, party primaries will test internal popularity, and the general election will test statewide acceptability.
The Road to 2027: Visibility Is Only the Beginning
The signing of the amended Electoral Act has effectively fired the starting gun for 2027. In Oyo State, the race is unfolding in stages—visibility, structure-building, alliance formation, and policy articulation. The removal of indirect primaries reinforces the importance of genuine popularity and grassroots penetration.
As the months progress, aspirants will need to move beyond slogans to substance. Citizens will demand detailed policy blueprints. Youth and civil society groups will insist on transparency and accountability. Media scrutiny will intensify.
For now, Ibadan’s skyline tells a clear story: the contest has begun. Billboards speak before ballots do. But in the end, it will not be visibility alone that determines victory—it will be organization, credibility, public trust, and the ability to connect authentically with the people of Oyo State.
The 2027 governorship race is not just about party tickets. It is about identity, legitimacy, competence, and public perception. And as the political season deepens, Oyo State stands on the brink of one of its most defining electoral cycles yet.
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