Makinde’s Biggest Test Yet: Finding a Candidate Strong Enough to Stop Oseni

The declaration of Aderemi Oseni for the Oyo South Senatorial seat has not only reshaped early permutations ahead of 2027, it has also exposed a wider political reality the emerging gap between structured grassroots mobilisation and elite-driven candidacy in Oyo south senatorial District

What is increasingly clear is that Oseni is not just another aspirant testing the waters; he is consolidating influence at a pace that could make him the candidate to beat long before formal campaigns begin.

Oseni’s political strength is rooted in a combination of technocratic credibility and deliberate grassroots expansion. A serving member of the House of Representatives representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, his legislative visibility and constituency engagement have helped him build a recognisable political identity beyond his immediate base.

His background as a trained civil engineer reinforces a perception of competence that appeals to both elite and grassroots voters.

However, beyond credentials, what is fueling his rising popularity is the political machinery he has quietly built through the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends.

Through his network and support structure, widely described as a community-driven movement spanning the state, Oseni has positioned himself as a grassroots politician with statewide reach.

His recent pledge to mobilise one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in Oyo State is not just a loyalty statement; it is a strategic signal of his organisational capacity and alignment with national power structures. In a political climate where structure often determines victory more than rhetoric, this kind of mobilisation promise places him ahead of many potential contenders.

This is where the dilemma begins for sitting Governor Seyi Makinde and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state. The instinct in many political circles is to look inward, to select a candidate from within the governor’s trusted political camp.

However, such a move may prove politically insufficient against a candidate like Oseni, whose strength is not merely partisan but structural and populist. An “in-house” candidate, no matter how loyal or politically connected, may struggle to match the organic grassroots appeal that Oseni appears to be consolidating.

The real strategic path for Makinde, therefore, may lie outside his immediate political circle. To counter a candidate like Oseni, the opposition would need someone with an already established independent political base someone whose appeal is not derived from government patronage but from long-standing relationships with the people and local political blocs that often feel disconnected from elite political structures, or even someone that has contested before.

Such a candidate would typically have a history of legislative or executive experience, strong name recognition, and a reputation for direct engagement with constituents. Crucially, the profile required is that of a politician who has previously demonstrated electoral strength in Oyo South, understands the dynamics of Ibadan politics, and commands loyalty beyond party lines. This is the kind of candidate who can neutralise Oseni’s grassroots advantage by offering an alternative structure that is equally people-driven rather than government-dependent.

Now, the 2027 Oyo South senatorial race may not be won on party popularity alone but on the depth of grassroots penetration and the authenticity of political connection. Oseni appears to understand this reality and is acting accordingly. If the PDP and Governor Makinde misread this moment by prioritising loyalty over electability, they risk walking into a contest where the outcome is already tilted.

The question, then, is not whether Oseni is gaining popularity he clearly is but whether his opponents are willing to rethink their strategy in time. In a race that is already being defined by structure, mobilisation, and grassroots trust, the candidate who best embodies these elements will likely emerge victorious.