Oyo 2027: Candidates Should Campaign on Their Records, Not Borrowed Popularity | By Elder David Oluokun

I challenge all governorship candidates preparing for the 2027 election to come before the people and campaign on the strength of their own records, achievements, experience, ideas and contributions to society, rather than relying on the popularity, influence or achievements of those backing them.

A recent political gathering in Oyo State provided a telling example. As the Master of Ceremonies welcomed dignitaries and prominent personalities at the event, the APM governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, was conspicuously left out of the introductions.

This naturally raises questions about the candidate’s personal political visibility and the strength of his record of service within the community. If a candidate is seeking to become governor of Oyo State, the people should be able to identify him through his own contributions, achievements and relationship with the people.

It was Governor Seyi Makinde who subsequently took the microphone to introduce Adekanmbi to the gathering.

This development raises a fundamental question: For how long will Governor Makinde continue to carry Adekanmbi politically before he can independently stand before the people of Oyo State and confidently speak about his own record?

Adekanmbi is not Seyi Makinde.

Whatever achievements the Makinde administration can legitimately claim cannot automatically become Adekanmbi’s personal achievements simply because the governor supports his candidacy.

If Adekanmbi wants the mandate of the people of Oyo State, he should be prepared to tell them what he has personally accomplished, the communities he has impacted, the problems he has helped solve and the contributions he has made to the development of the state.

The 2027 election should not be a contest of borrowed achievements or borrowed popularity.

It should be a contest of records, competence, character, experience, capacity and vision.

The questions I am putting before every governorship candidate are simple:

What have you personally done?

Which communities can point to your contributions?

What problems have you helped solve?

What is your vision for Oyo State?

What can you deliver that the people can trust?

No candidate should ask the people of Oyo State to vote for him simply because of the personality standing behind him. Every candidate should be prepared to tell the people what he has done, what he stands for and what he intends to achieve.

Political endorsements may provide visibility and political support, but endorsements cannot replace a personal record of service.

As the 2027 political contest takes shape, I challenge every candidate to come before the people with facts, achievements, ideas and a clear vision for the future of Oyo State.

Let every candidate campaign on what he has done.

Let every candidate defend his own record.

Let every candidate present his own vision.

Let your record speak.

Let your achievements speak.

Let your vision speak.