2027: Uncertainty Grips Oyo PDP As Makinde’s Anointed One Remains Shrouded In Mystery

Anxiety is mounting within the hierarchy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State as Governor Seyi Makinde continues to keep his cards close to his chest regarding his successor for the 2027 gubernatorial race.

​Despite earlier indications and a public promise that a preferred candidate would be unveiled, the “anointed one” remains a ghost figure, leaving party stalwarts and ambitious aspirants in a state of high-octane suspense.

​Appearing as a guest on the popular digital platform, APC chieftain Comrade Sola Abegunde pulled back the curtain on what he described as a “political gamble.” Abegunde claimed that during last year’s Ramadan, the Governor vowed to personally determine his successor. However, months after a self-imposed January window for an unveiling, the identity of the chosen one remains a subject of intense speculation.

​”Governor Makinde made a promise he shouldn’t have made,” Abegunde told Gistlife. “He said he would determine who will be the next Governor. He even pointed toward someone under 52 years old. But where is the name?”

​In an attempt to institutionalize the selection process, Governor Makinde reportedly delegated the task of vetting and recommending a candidate to a high-powered committee. Yet, despite this bureaucratic layer, no name has officially emerged from the “political laboratory.”

​The delay has fueled rumors that the Governor may be facing significant pushback from the committee or is struggling to balance the interests of the party’s “old guard” against his preference for a youthful successor.

​Abegunde, known for his blunt political commentary, warned on Gistlife that the Governor’s silence and his attempt to “play God” in the succession process is a recipe for internal disaster.

​”Do you know that is a big challenge the Governor has set for himself? It is a recipe for civil war, even within their own group,” Abegunde cautioned. “Governors like to talk, but they don’t always speak [wisely].”

​The mention of an “Under-52” candidate has particularly rattled the political cage in Oyo. If Makinde sticks to this age bracket, it effectively disqualifies several heavyweight loyalists who have been “waiting in the wings.” Analysts suggest that the Governor’s hesitation to name the candidate—even after the January deadline—signals a brewing storm within the PDP ranks.

​As the 2027 race begins to take shape, the question remains: is the Governor’s silence a masterclass in political timing, or is he losing control of a transition process that he once thought he could dictate?