Shittu maintained that he is the only aspirant with a clearly defined manifesto, insisting that he is fully prepared for governance. He added that if given the mandate today, he already has a concrete plan to transform Oyo State in an unprecedented way.

Dr. Adebayo Shittu

• Dismisses Adelabu as threat
• Hails Alausa Education Reforms

Former Minister of Communications and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Adebayo Shittu, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, boasting that no contender matches his experience, resources, and vision.

Shittu made the declaration during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, on Monday.

He described himself as the most qualified candidate, citing a political career spanning more than four decades. “I’m the only one who has held four to five positions in the country,” he said, noting that his experience and resources positioned him to reposition Oyo.

“As of today, I am the only one who has a manifesto of what exactly I want to do when I get to government. I am ready for government. Even if I get to government today, I already know and have a clear idea I want to do to transform Oyo state like it had never happened before” He declared.

Shittu’s political career began in 1979 when, at 26, he was elected into the old Oyo House of Assembly. That same year, he was appointed Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Home Affairs, and later served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state. His most recent national role was as Minister of Communications between 2015 and 2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari.

“In 1979 I was elected into the old Oyo House of Assembly, in the same year, I was appointed Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Home Affairs, and later served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state. I was Minister of Communications between 2015 and 2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari. Let me also tell you, in 2005, I was a member of the political reform conference, these are the positions and experience that nobody in Oyo state in term of political involvement. Over the last two years, I have done more than 50 political radio and television interview. My background as a lawyer, nobody has it.”

This is not his first attempt at the governorship. He stepped down for the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi in 2011 and later contested the APC primaries in 2014, losing to Ajimobi, who went on to serve two terms.

Highlighting his contributions, Shittu listed personal interventions made both during and after his ministerial tenure. “From my own pocket, not government pocket, I built 16 boreholes across the state. I gave about 15 postgraduate scholarships at the University of Ibadan, sponsored 12 students to law school, and supported many at primary and secondary school levels. I also sponsored six people with heart disease to India for treatment through MTN, of which five survived. I funded eye operations for about ten people and empowered others to start businesses. By my nature, I am a very generous person, even outside government,” he said.

Shittu, an indigene of Oke-Ogun, insisted that his region has been marginalised in the power structure and deserves its fair share of leadership.

“Let me tell you, the truth of it is, Ibadan Over the last forty or thirty years, has produced six (6) different governors, Ogbomosho has produced a governor, Oke-Ogun with ten (10) local government had never had the opportunity to produce a governor. The thing must rotate; it cannot be Ibadan alone all the time, we are in democracy not in a dictatorship. Awa ni Gomina Ipinle Oyo kan bayi. Shittu added that “enough is enough for Ibadan”.

He also added that while the whispers of a possible successor are being rumoured within the quarters of Governor Seyi Makinde, the former Minister argued that APC, with the right candidate (him) can defeat the ruling PDP, adding that Makinde’s two-term victory has the support of the opposition.

The 72-year-old elder statesman also dismissed age concerns, declaring: “It is my turn. Age is just a number. If you want to compare me, do that in terms of intelligence and dynamism. I’m as strong if not stronger than anyone my age.

“How old is Trump/ Experienced cannot be purchased in the market place. Why must I give room for the younger ones when I have ideas, fresh innovation to move Oyo forward.”

On the possibility of facing opposition from the current Minister of Information, Adebayo Adelabu who already declared his ambition, Shittu was dismissive, saying his pedigree and political experience give him an edge.

“I have been minister before years ago, he is my junior, where was he was I was a member of the House of Assembly some fourty-seven years ago”.

Identifying as an “Awoist” in line with the political philosophy of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Shittu also pledged to make education free in Oyo State if elected.

He further spoke on national education reforms, praising the dynamism of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tunji Alausa. “Nigeria must be a productive country. We must continue to improve through reforms, and I think the minister is very active and dynamic. I’m not surprised by the improvement and reforms he is bringing onboard,” he said.

On the recurring face-off between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Shittu argued that dialogue remained the only way forward. “It is about money and the ability of government to fund as required by ASUU. Negotiations will continue. One thing I hate is intimidation, and ASUU can do with less intimidation and more with agreement. I believe government would be more sensitive to genuine negotiations and genuine demands,” he said.

On Security, Tinubu 2027
Shittu also reacted to comments by the Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, on the worsening security situation. He urged security agencies to collaborate with state leaders. “I believe what he has said should be a security challenge to the security forces, especially the Inspector General of Police and the military. They should take up the challenge and collaborate with him because he knows better where the shoe pinches, being the governor of Zamfara,” he stated.

Recall that Governor Dauda Lawal is reportedly facing growing calls to resign after a viral video showed him saying he knows the whereabouts of armed bandits terrorising the state but claiming he was powerless to act.

The undated clip, in which Lawal spoke in Hausa, triggered outrage in political and security circles. The governor said he had purchased 150 vehicles for security agencies but could not direct their use, as orders must come from Abuja. He added that he could track bandits’ daily movements with devices at his disposal and claimed the violence would end within two months if he had authority over security operations.

Asked about claims that the governor knew the location of bandits, Shittu said such matters were technical. “These are very technical issues that one cannot get involved in too much, otherwise the military themselves will not be happy that things are as bad as they are now. We must also hear from the military,” he said, declining to apportion blame.

On his meeting with President Bola Tinubu and other party stakeholders, Shittu explained that it was “a thank-you to Mr. President for the wonderful burial he gave to our great leader, Muhammadu Buhari.” He confirmed that the APC leadership endorsed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. “We are pure and simply APC persons. We endorsed him, the president’s 2027 initiative of wanting to recontest election,” he said.

While refraining from rating the President’s handling of security, Shittu expressed confidence in his awareness of the situation. “Of course, the president has his men all over the place and they give him reports all the time. The National Security Adviser coordinates military services and gives him reports,” he said.

Shittu endorsed Tinubu for a second term, citing his reform initiatives. “Number one: we voted him in, we worked for him and he’s in. Two: I’m aware he’s working a lot to bring in new initiatives in Nigeria. You can easily talk about new initiatives like NELFUND — can you imagine the impact of that on the poor, on their effort to get educated in this country?” he added.