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. Speaking during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs program on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Shittu confidently described himself as the most qualified candidate, citing over four decades of political experience and a clear vision for the state.
Shittu’s political career began in 1979 when he was elected to the old Oyo House of Assembly at 26. He served in various capacities including Commissioner for Information, Culture and Home Affairs, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, and more recently as Minister of Communications from 2015 to 2019 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Oke-Ogun indigene highlighted what he perceives as the marginalization of his region in the state’s leadership rotation, noting that while Ibadan and Ogbomosho have previously produced governors, Oke-Ogun with its ten local governments has not yet had the opportunity. He called for fair power rotation, stating, “Enough is enough for Ibadan.”
Addressing concerns about his age of 72, Shittu maintained that intelligence and dynamism are more important measures, asserting that he remains as strong, if not stronger, than anyone his age.
Shittu’s declaration marks a significant moment in the pre-election landscape of Oyo State as the 2027 governorship contest begins to take shape.