2027: Olubadan chief, Adegoke emerges ADC Governorship candidate in Oyo

By Adeola Badru

A prominent Ibadan traditional chief and businessman, Chief Taofeek Adegoke, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.

Adegoke secured victory at the party’s governorship primary election held on Saturday evening, defeating other aspirants, including Adebisi Ilaka, in a keenly contested exercise witnessed by party stakeholders and delegates across the state.

Announcing the results, Chairman of the Screening Committee, Rasak Salinsile, disclosed that Adegoke polled 16,051 votes to emerge victorious, while Ilaka garnered 11,415 votes. Gbemileke Alagbe came third with 241 votes.

Former Commissioner for Health in Oyo State, Dr Azeez Adeduntan, secured 155 votes, while Niyi Aborisade polled 67 votes.

Speaking shortly after his emergence, Adegoke expressed appreciation to party delegates and members for the confidence reposed in him, describing the victory as a collective mandate to reposition Oyo State for accelerated growth and sustainable development.

He urged ADC members to remain united, committed and focused while intensifying mobilisation efforts across the state ahead of the 2027 polls.

The governorship candidate pledged that, if elected governor, his administration would prioritise infrastructural renewal, security, healthcare delivery, quality education and road rehabilitation across the state.

According to him, Oyo State possesses enormous potential that can only be harnessed through visionary leadership, purposeful governance and people-oriented policies.

“Oyo State is blessed with immense human and natural resources. What is required is transparent, responsible and visionary leadership that will place the welfare of the people above personal interests.

“My administration will pursue aggressive urban renewal programmes, strengthen security architecture, reposition the healthcare sector, improve educational standards and ensure that road infrastructure receives the attention it deserves.

“I am fully prepared to provide practical solutions to the challenges confronting our dear state. By the grace of God and with the support of the good people of Oyo State, we shall build a prosperous, secure and economically viable state that every citizen will be proud of,” he said.

Adegoke also appreciated the national leadership of the ADC, including former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, assuring them that their confidence in his candidacy would not be misplaced.

“I deeply appreciate the leadership of our great party for ensuring a transparent and credible process. I equally thank our supporters and party faithful for standing firmly with me throughout this journey.

“I want to assure our leaders — Senator David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar — that I will justify the trust and confidence they have reposed in me. Together, we shall offer the people of Oyo State a credible alternative anchored on competence, integrity and development,” he added.

Adegoke also extended a hand of fellowship to other contestants in the primary election, urging them to work with him in the collective task of repositioning Oyo State for greater development.

He noted that the primary election was not about personal ambition but about a shared desire to provide purposeful leadership and a better future for the people of the state.

“We may have contested against one another during the primary, but we remain members of the same political family with a common goal of rescuing Oyo State and delivering good governance to our people.

“I therefore extend my hand of fellowship to my brothers who participated in this contest. I urge them and their supporters to come together so that we can collectively build a stronger and more united ADC capable of winning the 2027 governorship election,” he said.

Adegoke added that the successful conduct of the primary election reflected the unity, transparency and internal democratic culture within the ADC, expressing confidence that the party would emerge stronger ahead of the election.

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