The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has adopted Oloye Saheed Oladele, the Baàmẹ̀kọ́ of Ibadanland, as its consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 general election in Oyo State.

The adoption took place during a party gathering in Ibadan, where delegates and members unanimously endorsed Oladele through a voice vote without any opposition.

Speaking at the event, the Oyo State Chairman of the SDP, Michael Idowu Owokoya, said Oladele was the only duly registered party member from Oyo State who purchased the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the governorship race before the deadline.

Owokoya said the decision to adopt Oladele as the party’s consensus candidate was based on his leadership qualities, credibility and acceptance among party members and residents of the state.

In his acceptance speech, Oladele thanked party leaders, stakeholders and members for the confidence reposed in him.

He stated that his ambition was to contest and win the governorship election on the platform of the SDP, stressing that he did not join the party for political bargaining or personal negotiations.

According to him, some individuals were allegedly seeking to use the party as a platform for political negotiations at the expense of loyal members and the people of Oyo State.

Oladele urged party members to remain united and committed to the growth of the SDP despite differences within the party.

“I joined the SDP for the progress of the party and not for factional interests,” he said.