2027: Olusegun Agboola named Oyo SDP governorship candidate

By Adejayan Gbenga The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has named Mogaji Olusegun Agboola as its governorship candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial election in Oyo State. Agboola emerged following the party's substitution plenary held in Ibadan on Tuesday, where members ratified the replacement of Michael Okunlade as the party's governorship flagbearer. The party said the decision marked a new phase in its preparations for the 2027 governorship election, charging Agboola with strengthening its structures, reconciling members and taking its message across the state's 33 local government areas. Speaking after his emergence, Agboola said the SDP was contesting the election to win and would not negotiate political deals with other parties. 'The SDP is here to stay and our intention is to take over this state. There's no negotiation on the table as far as we are concerned,' he said. Agboola further promised to introduce a different approach to governance if elected, arguing that Oyo State needed to move beyond what he described as 'conventional ways of running government.' 'Our administration will focus on developing Oyo State's human and material resources by creating systems that will help residents turn their skills and abilities into sustainable economic opportunities,' Agboola added. He also invited other governorship candidates to a public debate on their policy proposals and urged aggrieved party members to return, saying the SDP would operate an open-door policy. Earlier, the outgoing candidate, Michael Okunlade, congratulated Agboola and described his emergence as an important step for the party, while praising members and the Independent National Electoral Commission for conducting the substitution process peacefully.