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Nigeria is working to establish a framework to attract climate finance for smallholder farmers, with experts advocating targeted investments, digital accountability and stronger financial systems to address the effects of climate change on agriculture.

The initiative aims to improve access to financing for farmers affected by drought, flooding and other climate-related challenges.

Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT), Dr Dahiru Muhammed, disclosed this at a Taxonomy Validation Workshop on Adaptation and Resilience Solutions organised by PICTT, in collaboration with YAPU Solutions.

Muhammed said the workshop was designed to develop an implementation framework for national taxonomy, which defines activities eligible for climate finance.

He explained that the Federal Ministry of Finance and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) were working on the national taxonomy, while PICTT and its partners were focusing on making the framework operational and accessible to rural communities.

‘Having a national taxonomy is good, but without defining which activity qualifies as adaptive or resilient to climate change, there is no way you can access the financing,’ he said.

Muhammed clarified that the financing had not yet been assessed, noting that stakeholders were still developing the framework and identifying the partners required to implement it.

He said governments at the federal, state and local levels should work together to address climate-related challenges, particularly flooding, through improved infrastructure and effective mitigation measures.

On PICTT’s achievements, he highlighted its work in technology transfer, agricultural development and helping entrepreneurs transform research into commercially viable products.

Country Representative of WorldFish in Nigeria, Dr Charles Nyangbe, said Nigeria needed financial instruments tailored to the different climate challenges confronting farmers.

He noted that northern Nigeria faced drought, while southern communities experienced flooding and waterlogging, requiring different adaptation strategies and financing arrangements.

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has questioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for approval to borrow $20.52 billion and pound 1.045 billion.

Atiku said the request vindicated his October 12 warning about a proposed loan of up to $20 billion.

Reacting on Tuesday through the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the President’s failure to identify the specific projects the loans would fund raised concerns.

‘On October 12, I warned Nigerians that President Tinubu was reportedly preparing to borrow up to $20 billion in connection with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. I asked him to confirm or deny the plan and publish the accounts. He did neither. Today, he has asked the Senate to approve $20.52 billion and pound 1.045 billion in external loans. My warning has been vindicated,’ Atiku said.

He said the President had listed broad sectors but had not provided a project-by-project account of what the borrowing would fund.

‘Nigerians have not been given clear project details, costs, locations or contractors to scrutinise. That silence is especially troubling given the highway’s inland rerouting,’ he said.

Atiku questioned whether the borrowed funds could be channelled through projects to political campaigners and favoured contractors.

‘Barely 12 weeks before an election, how can the President ask lawmakers to saddle Nigerians with more than $20 billion and pound 1 billion in debt without identifying projects and their costs? Is this a development plan for Nigerians or a campaign financing scheme dressed up as infrastructure?’ he asked.

He said that, if elected president, he would scrutinise every loan taken by the administration, especially those obtained in its final year.

‘I put local and international lenders on notice: any loan granted to this administration must meet all constitutional, statutory and due process requirements. Upon assumption of office, I will scrutinise every such loan. Any borrowing found to have been obtained without proper authorisation or process will be challenged,’ he said.

Atiku urged the National Assembly not to approve the loans until the President published details of every project, contract, cost, contractor, loan term and repayment obligation.

‘No public money should be borrowed in the dark, and no lawmaker should sign a blank cheque against Nigeria’s future,’ he said.

He said the burden was on the President to prove that the borrowing would serve the country’s interests and urged lawmakers to subject the proposal to rigorous scrutiny.

He added that families already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis should not be made to shoulder debts they had not approved.

Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), on Tuesday, called on voters in the South-South geopolitical zone to vote according to their conscience in the 2027 general elections, urging them to choose candidates whose programmes and track records reflect the aspirations of the region.

The forum also challenged the Federal Government and political party candidates to pay greater attention to the Niger Delta, demanding an increase in the derivation allocation to oil-producing states from the current minimum of 13 per cent to the original 50 per cent and the abolition of the onshore/offshore dichotomy in revenue allocation.

PANDEF made the demands in a communique read by its National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, after a meeting to mark the organisation’s 10th anniversary in Abuja on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabu, and other leaders from the six South-South states.

The organisation stated, ‘PANDEF calls on the people of the South-South to exercise their civic responsibilities peacefully and vote according to their conscience, choosing candidates at all levels whose programmes, commitments, and demonstrated capacity align with the aspirations of the region.’

The forum urged presidential candidates to demonstrate their commitment to environmental justice by presenting practical, measurable and time-bound plans for cleaning up and restoring communities affected by oil and gas exploration.

PANDEF also commended President Bola Tinubu for retaining the original alignment of the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a distinct strategic infrastructure project, insisting that its completion must not be compromised.

‘The accelerated, successful completion of the highway is non-negotiable,’ the forum declared, adding that the project would improve connectivity, stimulate trade and investment, and unlock the economic potential of coastal communities.

It called for the rehabilitation of other critical roads, improved rail connections and sustainable financing for the modernisation of the Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar ports. It also welcomed the proposed Ibom Deep Sea Port in Akwa Ibom, Bonny Deep Sea Port in Rivers and Agge Deep Sea Port in Bayelsa states.

On revenue allocation, PANDEF argued that the minimum 13 per cent derivation allocation had remained unchanged for more than two decades despite the environmental damage and economic burdens borne by oil-producing communities, calling on the federal government, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Assembly to increase derivation to a minimum of 50 per cent and abolish the onshore/offshore dichotomy, arguing that offshore petroleum operations also affect coastal communities, fishing grounds and livelihoods.

The communique stated further, ‘The meeting further calls on the Federal Government, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), and the National Assembly to urgently address the longstanding and contentious issue of the onshore/offshore dichotomy in revenue allocation.’

The forum urged the federal and state governments to accelerate investment in gas infrastructure, power generation, mini-LNG facilities, LPG and CNG hubs, petrochemicals and other gas-based industries. It noted that the Niger Delta holds more than 209 trillion standard cubic feet of natural gas reserves, which could support industrialisation, electricity generation and employment.

PANDEF also advocated renewed support for modular refineries and agricultural value chains, including palm oil, rice and cassava, to diversify the regional economy and reduce dependence on oil and gas revenues.

On environmental remediation, the forum demanded sustained and transparent funding for the Ogoni clean-up programme and urged the Federal Government to extend remediation to other polluted communities. It specifically identified Nembe Creek in Bayelsa, Odidi in Delta and Kula in Rivers states as requiring urgent attention.

Reviewing its 10-year record, PANDEF cited the establishment of the South-South Development Commission, the commencement of activities at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, and the upgrading of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State, among its achievements. It also commended its peace-building efforts in Rivers State and continuing engagement over the oil-well dispute between Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

The forum reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with the Federal Government, the six state governments, traditional institutions and the private sector, urging public office holders from the region, particularly those at the federal level, to support its efforts to advance the collective interests of the South-South.

PANDEF, formed a decade ago to unite the region’s socio-political and ethnic organisations, maintained that the development of the Niger Delta was inseparable from Nigeria’s progress and called on the authorities to translate policy commitments and announced projects into tangible results.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Monday flagged off the Renewed Hope Light Up Project in Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, targeting 42,000 households across the 13 electoral wards of the constituency with solar lights.

He also distributed 26 power transformers to the wards to connect communities to the national electricity grid.

Commissioning the solar lights, which marked the second phase of the project, the Deputy Speaker, who represents the constituency at the National Assembly, described access to power as the pressing need of the people uncovered during a constituency-wide needs assessment.

He said: ‘In representation, one of the key expectations of the office of a representative is to do needs analysis, and in the course of doing needs analysis, we discovered that one of our greatest problems in this federal constituency is darkness, lack of access to power and that has affected our economic life, the security life of the community, the human capacity development and job creation, all of which fall under the proposition of the Renewed Hope Agenda, the eight agenda of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who from the start intended to improve the economic life of our nation, starting from the communities; create more jobs; improve the security of our communities, human capacity development, agriculture and food security and the list goes on’

The Deputy Speaker said the project had two components: connecting communities to the national grid through transformer distribution and providing alternative energy through solar for all homes in the constituency.

He said the intervention aligned with the eight-point Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to improve the economic life of Nigerians, starting from the communities.

‘What we are doing today has a multiple effect, a ripple effect that trickles down to different aspects of this Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. Today, we stand as the partners of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. We call ourselves Renewed Hope Partners. We are members of APC, Bende constituents who believe in the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his agenda to improve the lives of the people of Nigeria starting from Bende federal constituency.

‘What we are here to do is to drive that vision home, by making it a mission that our people can feel, touch and experience. Light before now to many homes in Bende seemed to be luxury. That has been demystified,’ he said.

The Deputy Speaker further disclosed that he received approval of the plan from President Tinubu when he presented the figure of 42,000 households with a request to ensure that children could read at night without kerosene lanterns and that families could power their fans and charge phones.

He expressed profound gratitude to the President for his interventions in Bende in particular and in the entire South-East in general, noting that the Light Up Project was aimed at making its impact felt directly by rural households in Bende.

‘Let me thank the President for initiating Renewed Hope Agenda which has been the roadmap towards the achievements we have made in the last few years.

‘There is nothing we are doing in Bende, in Igboland as members of this government that has not been approved by the President. He is a President that loves the south Easterners and he is making sure that most of the landmark initiatives commence from this area of the country. Today, we are saying bye bye to darkness in Bende Federal Constituency’, Kalu said.

Explaining that the rollout was in batches of 10,000 households, Hon. Kalu said 1,000 solar units had already been distributed to beneficiaries from all electoral wards in the constituency who were present at the ceremony to testify.

He said each solar unit would serve for 10 years, revealing that it came with a maintenance agreement.

‘The people who are handling this have said that this particular solar will serve our people for 10 good years which means you are not going to look for kerosene to power your lanterns in 10 good years, where to charge your phone, power fan. The arrangement we have made with them is that if anything goes bad, we will invite them to come back and fix it as far as you didn’t break it’, he said.

The Deputy Speaker also assured that the first 10,000 of the solar lights distributed on Monday would be completed in the next two weeks before the next batch began.

‘In the next two weeks, I am sure this 10,000 will be done with and another 10,000 will come in and that is how we will follow it until we finish’, he said.

To ensure accountability and prevent diversion of the solar lights, Kalu said all installations were geo-located and programmed through an app, adding that it was the first time 42,000 homes in a single federal constituency would receive solar power in Nigeria.

‘All the installations will be geo-located through the App. Let me warn. Don’t take your own meant for Item to Ozuitem, it will not work. They are all programmed. This is the first of its kind in the Federal Republic of Nigeria that 42,000 homes will receive light in a federal constituency,’ he said.

Also distributing the brand-new transformers, Hon. Kalu explained that each of the 13 wards in Bende would receive two transformers to gain access to the national grid and help boost their small and medium enterprises.

‘Just like we promised that the light in Bende is in two phases, we have the one for national grid and then, we have places that have not experienced the effect of national grid. Based on that, we requested for alternative source of energy that is environmentally friendly and we chose solar. But we also know that while solar handles the home, the small and medium scale enterprises across Bende need support to power fridges, welding machines, small scale industries, you need a transformer to pick up power from the national grid. So, we have made provisions for all the Wards. Every Ward in Bende Federal Constituency wil receive two transformers.

‘The decision on where they will be located will not be based on sentiment and will not be political. It will be needs- influenced decision. It will be decision based on lack of access to electricity. Thereafter, all parts will follow. So, my advise to the leaders when you go back is that these should not be packed in anybody’s home. They should be placed around the place it will be easier to be hooked to the national grid to be begin to serve greater number of the people.

‘We must choose a location where wider number of our constituents will enjoy access to electricity. We are doing all this because of the ripple effect power brings. If you see us distributing solar fans, it is to prevent the heat waves so that Bende people will not be badly impacted by the heat wave that is coming from the global warming. We also believe that these transformers will add values that will protect us from global warming.

‘I want to thank Bende people for sending me to Abuja. I want to thank them for making that decision. The decision is what is fetching what is happening here today and many more that we have done as well as much more that we will do in the coming days.

‘Secure these transformers when it gets to your place. It will be economic sabotage if you tamper with them. They should be protected by the youths, the Presidents-General and the traditional rulers because it is meant to serve Bende communities and everyone in Bende both those in APC and those not in APC. These transformers do not know the colour of political parties. It will serve everyone that I am representing,’ Hon. Kalu said.

The Deputy Speaker also signed a ?100 million contract with the electricity company that installed the transformers for the restoration of light to Item and Alayi wards, which have been disconnected for years.

Some constituents representing the 13 electoral wards and the Presidents-General of different town unions, who testified to the effective representation of the Deputy Speaker at the commissioning, pledged to vote massively for both President Tinubu and Kalu in the 2027 general elections to continue their people-oriented projects.

Former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr Richard Aisuebeogun, has identified fuel price volatility, foreign-exchange fluctuations and disruptions in global supply chains as major factors exposing airlines to operational and financial risks, warning that these challenges could increase airfares, disrupt flight schedules and weaken connectivity.

Aisuebeogun, who spoke in a paper titled ‘Navigating Global Disruptions and the Road Ahead: Mobility, Energy and Trade Facilitation for a Resilient Future,’ presented at the second edition of Transport Summit 2026, organised by JustAlive Communications Limited recently, called for stronger supply-chain management, strategic fuel infrastructure and the development of domestic technical capabilities to improve aviation resilience.

He explained that airlines operate within a cost-intensive environment in which fuel, aircraft leasing, insurance, maintenance and other essential inputs are significantly exposed to international market conditions and foreign-currency obligations.

According to him, fluctuations in energy prices and disruptions in fuel supply can affect airline operating costs, while foreign-exchange volatility increases the cost of maintaining aircraft, acquiring spare parts and financing fleet expansion.

These pressures, he noted, could constrain investment, delay equipment replacement, increase ticket prices, reduce flight frequency and undermine operational reliability.

Explaining further, he stressed that ‘conflicts in major energy-producing regions and along important international trade routes can increase the cost of fuel, insurance, shipping, and imported transport inputs. For a country whose transport operators depend on petroleum products and imported technical equipment, these changes can quickly affect service delivery’.

Aisuebeogun stressed that energy security was fundamental to the resilience of the transport sector, particularly aviation, where fuel availability and affordability directly influence service delivery.

‘Strategic fuel infrastructure is therefore essential for national resilience,’ he stated.

Aisuebeogun identified fuel price fluctuations and supply interruptions as significant risks to transport operations, noting that airlines require reliable access to aviation fuel to maintain schedules and sustain commercial operations.

He explained that disruptions in fuel availability or sharp increases in prices could trigger flight delays and cancellations, increase operating expenditure and place additional pressure on airfares.

‘Rising energy costs can translate into higher fares and freight charges, which ultimately increase the cost of food, manufactured goods, and other essential consumer commodities’.

‘The aviation industry perhaps demonstrates the importance of energy security. Fuel costs often represent a significant proportion of airline operating expenses. Disruptions in fuel supply can lead to: Flight delays or even cancellations; Increased ticket prices; reduced connectivity; economic losses. strategic fuel infrastructure is therefore essential for national resilience,’ he said.

He consequently advocated strategic fuel infrastructure, diversified sourcing arrangements and improved supply-chain risk management to reduce exposure to external disruptions.

The Academy of Medical Sciences of Nigeria (AMSN) has strongly cautioned the Federal Government against prematurely declaring the country free of Ebola, following the medical evacuation of Nigeria’s index case of the disease to Switzerland.

In a joint statement issued on Monday, the academy warned that, while the source patient had left the country, Nigeria’s outbreak response was far from over.

The statement was jointly signed yesterday by the AMSN President, Emeritus Prof. Osato Giwa-Osagie; the Foundation President, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru; and the Chairman of the Rapid Response Committee, Prof. Boaz Adegboro.

The intervention follows confirmation by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, that Nigeria’s index Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) case was medically evacuated from Abuja to Switzerland on Monday morning, alongside her asymptomatic spouse.

The academy noted that the medical evacuation of the clinically stable patient was fully permitted under the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) and WHO protocols. It cited the 2014 precedent, when the US, UK, Germany, Spain and Switzerland similarly evacuated Ebola patients to high-level isolation units.

However, the medical experts stressed that the departure of the source case did not eliminate local risks.

‘The source case leaving the country does not reduce the risk among the 53 contacts, who include health workers and domestic staff,’ the statement read. ‘Each person must complete 21 days of follow-up, and WHO requires 42 days without a new case before an outbreak can be declared over.’

To ensure public transparency, the academy called on the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to publish a brief account of the evacuation protocol, the WHO-Swiss coordination framework and the decontamination measures implemented.

While praising the Nigerian clinicians, nurses, laboratory scientists and public health officers who stabilised the patient, the academy raised red flags over systemic vulnerabilities exposed by the case.

The experts expressed concern over a 13-day delay between the onset of symptoms and final testing, during which the patient sought care at multiple private facilities.

This delay exposed several healthcare workers and revealed a low index of suspicion for viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF) among febrile travellers, despite a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) having been declared in May.

Furthermore, the academy pointed out a stark disparity in health equity. ‘Even though a foreign national could be flown to a high-level isolation unit abroad, a Nigerian patient could not,’ the body noted, urging Nigeria to urgently build domestic capacity to guarantee the same standard of care for citizens and visitors alike.

To secure the containment of the virus, the academy detailed a comprehensive roadmap for federal health authorities.

At the forefront of these demands is a strict contact-tracking protocol. The academy insisted that authorities must complete the 21-day daily monitoring of all 53 identified contacts, execute rapid testing for any who exhibit symptoms, and provide fully funded welfare packages to ensure total compliance with quarantine rules.

Alongside patient tracking, the academy emphasised health worker support, calling on the government to deliver immediate occupational health follow-ups and psychosocial support to every medical professional exposed during the initial chain of care.

To fortify national vigilance, the body recommended that a national alert be issued to mandate all public and private health facilities to check the travel history of every febrile patient, with immediate isolation and testing for anyone linked to affected regions.

On an infrastructure level, the experts urged the government to establish at least one high-level isolation and treatment unit in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, ensuring that these facilities are equipped with trained staff and granted access to investigational therapeutics through WHO-coordinated trials.

The roadmap also targets critical gaps in research and data. The academy stated that Nigeria must secure its fair share of medical specimens, sequence data and clinical records to allow local scientists to lead the investigation into the source of the infection, particularly regarding reported genetic links to cases in Kenya and Uganda.

Finally, prioritising public communication, the academy underscored that the government must actively engage the media through timely, official briefings to effectively curb rumours, panic and social stigma.

The academy also appealed to the public to remain calm and vigilant, reject the stigmatisation of contacts and healthcare workers, rely only on official updates from the NCDC, and seek early medical attention for any travel-related fevers.

THE contest to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde is taking shape, with the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Sharafadeen Alli, Allied People’s Movement (APM)’s Abimbola Adekanmbi, Accord’s Oriyomi Hamzat and 13 other candidates preparing for a high-stakes battle over the future of Oyo State.

The race will test Makinde’s ability to transfer his political influence to a successor, the APC’s determination to reclaim power and the capacity of smaller parties to challenge the established political order.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released its final list of 16 governorship candidates on October 10, 2026, formally identifying the contenders for the contest to occupy the Agodi Government House after the 2027 general election.

What initially appeared to be a familiar contest between the ruling political establishment and an opposition seeking to dislodge it has developed into a more complicated struggle involving party realignments, competing ambitions, questions of succession, political loyalties and the search for a credible alternative.

At the centre of the unfolding drama is Makinde, who is approaching the end of his second term and cannot seek another consecutive term as governor. His political future, including his presidential ambition on the platform of the APM, has added a national dimension to the struggle for control of Oyo State.

Yet, beyond the personalities and party platforms, the election will ultimately test whether political popularity can be transferred, whether a divided opposition can unite around a common objective and whether voters will prioritise continuity, change or a fresh political direction.

The succession question: Can Makinde determine what comes next?

For Makinde, the 2027 election presents a significant political test: whether the influence accumulated over eight years in office can help determine who succeeds him.

Since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999, Oyo State has developed a reputation for rejecting the preferred successors of outgoing governors. Former Governor Abiola Ajimobi failed to secure victory for his preferred candidate, Adebayo Adelabu, in 2019, when Makinde defeated him. Makinde now faces the challenge of avoiding a similar outcome as he prepares to leave office.

His preferred successor is Abimbola Adekanmbi, a former commissioner for finance in the state, who is contesting under the APM rather than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the platform on which Makinde won the governorship in 2019 and 2023.

The decision to pursue the succession project through the APM has altered the political calculations in the state. It raises questions about how much of the existing governing structure will move with the governor, how effectively the new platform can establish itself across Oyo’s 33 local government areas and whether voters will view Adekanmbi as an independent candidate or principally as the choice of the outgoing administration.

The challenge is not simply to present a candidate with experience in government. It is to convert the governor’s political network, record and electoral support into a winning coalition under a different party identity.

Adekanmbi has presented himself as a candidate who can build on the administration’s record while maintaining his own political identity.

His campaign will need to persuade voters that continuity offers tangible benefits, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic development and governance.

At the same time, the APM must demonstrate that it can compete beyond the political influence of the governor who has made it central to his succession plans.

Makinde’s presidential ambition could further complicate the exercise. A successful transfer of power in Oyo would strengthen his political standing nationally, while a defeat for his preferred successor could expose the limitations of his influence beyond his own tenure.

Alli and the APC: The challenge of turning opposition into victory

Senator Alli enters the race as the APC’s governorship candidate, with the party seeking to return to power in Oyo after eight years in opposition.

His challenge is to unite competing party interests, consolidate grassroots support and convince voters that his administration would offer a credible alternative to the outgoing government.

The APC presents one of the strongest organisational challenges to Makinde’s succession project. Its national platform, established political network and presence across the state’s three senatorial districts give it a substantial base from which to campaign.

Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate, has outlined priorities including education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, security, economic empowerment and local government administration.

His campaign platform also emphasises inclusive governance and measurable public service delivery.

However, the APC’s principal challenge is internal cohesion.

The contest for the party’s governorship ticket brought several prominent figures into competition, including former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu and other influential politicians.

Although Alli emerged as the candidate, the ability to bring the various tendencies together behind him will be a critical determinant of the party’s prospects.

Party unity cannot be measured merely by public endorsements or appearances at campaign events. It will depend on whether influential leaders deploy their structures, mobilise supporters and work together across local government areas.

Alli must also define his campaign beyond opposition to Makinde. While the incumbent’s record will inevitably feature in the contest, voters will want to know what the senator intends to do differently, how he plans to finance his promises and what measurable improvements residents should expect.

The APC candidate’s performance in the three senatorial districts will be particularly important.

A strong showing in Ibadan does not automatically guarantee success in Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Oyo and Ibarapa, where local political interests and candidate appeal can shape voting patterns.

For Alli, therefore, the challenge is twofold: consolidate the APC’s traditional support and attract voters who may be dissatisfied with the current administration but are not automatically committed to the opposition.

Adekambi and the APM: A test of continuity

Adekanmbi, although backed by Makinde’s political camp, his candidacy places continuity, experience in government and the outgoing governor’s political legacy at the centre of the election.

Adekanmbi’s emergence has changed the character of the succession contest.

Rather than remain within the PDP, Makinde’s camp is seeking to establish the APM as the vehicle for its 2027 political project.

His experience in public finance provides a basis for discussing budgeting, revenue generation, expenditure management and economic planning. But experience alone will not settle the election.

His campaign must explain how that experience would translate into improved living standards, better public services and stronger economic opportunities across the state.

The central question is whether voters will regard him as the candidate best placed to sustain the administration’s policies or as a symbol of an outgoing government seeking to retain influence.

Continuity can be an advantage when voters believe an administration has delivered meaningful improvements. It can become a liability when they want a change of direction or associate the government with unresolved problems.

Adekanmbi will consequently need to establish a political identity that extends beyond his relationship with Makinde.

The outgoing governor’s endorsement may provide access to an established political network, but it cannot automatically transfer the personal choices of voters.

The campaign must still earn support in communities where economic pressures, local development needs and individual political loyalties may differ.

Makinde’s political ambition also adds another layer to the equation. If Adekanmbi succeeds, it could strengthen the governor’s influence as he moves towards national politics. If he fails, the result could raise questions about the durability of the political structure built during Makinde’s tenure.

Accord and Oriyomi Hamzat: Can popularity become political power?

Hamzat’s candidacy introduces a prominent media personality into the governorship contest. His challenge is to translate public recognition and his existing support base into the political organisation required to compete across the state.

Hamzat’s presence means the contest cannot be understood solely through the rivalry between the APC and APM.

His profile as a broadcaster gives him a degree of public visibility that many candidates must work hard to establish. Yet, name recognition and electoral strength are not the same thing.

A successful governorship campaign requires more than an audience. It demands ward-level organisation, credible agents, effective coordination, fundraising, a policy programme and the capacity to reach voters across all 33 local government areas.

Hamzat must also demonstrate how his candidacy would address the practical challenges facing residents, from the cost of living and employment to security, education, healthcare and local infrastructure.

Accord’s performance in Oyo will be watched closely because it offers another platform through which voters can express their preferences outside the two leading political camps.

The party’s prospects will depend on its ability to build a statewide coalition rather than rely on visibility concentrated in particular communities or among specific groups of supporters.

Hamzat’s emergence also creates a potential complication for the larger parties. A candidate who attracts voters seeking an alternative could affect the distribution of votes even without becoming the leading contender.

The extent of that influence, however, will depend on campaign organisation, the issues raised during the election and the level of support the candidate can sustain beyond his established audience.

Gbolarumi and the PDP: Rebuilding a traditional political platform

Hazeem Gbolarumi represents the PDP. His candidacy raises questions about the party’s ability to retain its identity and electoral base after the incumbent’s succession project moved to the APM.

The PDP faces a particularly difficult political calculation. It remains an established party in Oyo, with a history of electoral competition and an existing political network. Yet the movement of Makinde’s succession project to the APM creates a challenge for the party’s position in the state.

Gbolarumi’s task will be to show that the PDP remains a viable choice in its own right rather than a party whose electoral relevance depends entirely on the incumbent governor.

That will require a clear message, effective organisation and the ability to appeal to party loyalists as well as voters who may be looking for an alternative to both the APC and APM.

The party’s performance could also influence the wider contest. A well-organised PDP campaign could attract voters who might otherwise gravitate towards another opposition platform, while a weak showing could leave its supporters divided among competing candidates.

The broader issue is whether the PDP can convert its historical presence into a competitive campaign under the changed circumstances of 2027.

ADC, NDC and the other contenders: The wider field

Beyond the four principal names, the other candidates will seek to establish their relevance through distinct political messages, local networks and appeals to voters dissatisfied with the established parties.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), represented by Adegboyega Adegoke, is one of the platforms to watch as opposition politics evolves ahead of 2027.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), under Yusuf, also enters the contest with an opportunity to present itself as an alternative to the better-established parties.

The Labour Party (LP), which attracted considerable national attention during the 2023 elections, will be seeking to determine whether it can sustain and convert that wider political recognition into support in Oyo.

The remaining parties face similar challenges: distinguishing their candidates from the leading contenders, developing credible programmes and persuading voters that their platforms offer practical answers to the state’s problems.