The administration of Seyi Makinde has denied reports claiming the governor has already selected a preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.

In a statement released on Thursday in Ibadan, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Suleimon Olanrewaju, dismissed widespread social media claims that Bimbo Adekanmbi had been chosen as Makinde’s successor.

The clarification followed online reports circulated late Wednesday suggesting that the governor had settled for Adekanmbi ahead of the next governorship race.

Olanrewaju explained that Makinde was still engaging in consultations with stakeholders and had not reached a final decision on who would receive his backing for the election.

According to him, the governor would officially unveil his preferred candidate only after completing the ongoing consultations.

Adekanmbi, who previously served as commissioner for finance during the administration of former governor Abiola Ajimobi, has continued to maintain visibility in the state’s political and public service space.

His profile rose further in 2025 when Governor Makinde appointed him to head the committee supervising the upgrade of the Ibadan Airport project, one of the major infrastructure initiatives of the current administration.

The appointment fueled speculations about his growing influence within Makinde’s political circle and strengthened perceptions that he may enjoy the governor’s confidence.

Political analysts say the rumours surrounding Adekanmbi’s possible emergence have already generated discussions within the Peoples Democratic Party and among opposition groups in the state as political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections continue to take shape.

There are also reports suggesting that Makinde could soon publicly endorse Adekanmbi and possibly unveil a new political platform in the coming days.