Agboola declares Oyo governorship bid on SDP platform

By Adejayan Gbenga

Mogaji Olusegun Agboola, a governorship aspirant of the Social Democratic Party in Oyo State, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election, calling for fresh ideas and systemic changes in governance.

Agboola made the declaration on Monday at a stakeholders’ meeting at the SDP Secretariat in Ibadan, saying his decision was driven by the need to contribute to the development of Oyo State and Nigeria.

He said the country’s current challenges required new approaches to leadership, adding that although he had supported and promoted politicians in the past, he was not a politician.

Agboola said his proposed agenda would focus on education, leadership, innovation and long-term development, particularly as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape the global economy.

He advocated a shift from what he described as “pedestrian thinking” to “system thinking,” arguing that governance should focus on building institutions that would outlive their founders.

The aspirant also called for reforms in the education system to prepare young people for future jobs, while urging voters to reject politics driven by patronage and “stomach infrastructure” and demand competence and accountability.

Agboola cited the recent Osun governorship election as evidence that voters could resist political pressure and make independent choices.

Speaking earlier, SDP State Chairman, Michael Okunlade, said the meeting was held to introduce Agboola to party members and the public as the party’s intended governorship candidate. He said the party was working through the necessary processes ahead of electoral deadlines and expressed confidence that it would strengthen its structures across the 33 local government areas ahead of the 2027 election.