The Baàmẹ̀kọ́ of Ibadanland and Chairman/CEO of Erudite Group, Saheed Oladele has declared intention to contest the Oyo State governorship election in 2027.
He says the development comes on the heals of various calls from well-meaning Oyo State indigenes and Nigerians to join the race.
He announced this during an interview on the TVC programme Your View yesterday.
During the show, one of the anchors referenced a tribute by Dr Abass Adetunji, a California-based Nigerian researcher and social critic, who described Oladele as one of the most honoured Ibadan indigenes of all time, citing his integrity and diligence as the reasons for the honours being bestowed on him.
Responding, Oladele highlighted examples of his integrity, including being nicknamed “Mr No Bribe” at his first workplace. He also recounted returning ₦118,000 which was wrongly reverted to his account after buying some books from The Booksellers at Jerico in Ibadan, an act that earned him the 2023 Gani Fawehinmi Outstanding Integrity Award.
He credited his rise from humble beginnings to becoming a first-class graduate of the University of Ibadan, a widely celebrated Ibadan chief and a global educationist to his diligence.
On youth participation in Nigerian politics, Oladele emphasised the importance of involving young people in governance. He described their energy and vibrancy as critical to driving progress and good governance.
The Erudite Group CEO revealed that calls from prominent Oyo State figures prompted him to join the race. He cited his integrity, diligence, competence and principle of fairness as reasons for their calls.
Oladele shared an example of his fairness, noting how he granted the request of some of his Christian staff members to have a space for fellowship which both Christian staff and students use up to date.
He expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, known for empowering young leaders, would back his candidacy. Oladele pointed out Tinubu’s history of achieving political milestones in his youth, becoming a senator at 40 and Lagos governor at 47.
As a card-carrying member of the APC, Oladele believes Tinubu will support his emergence as the party’s flagbearer in Oyo State as “Mr president can never leave a youth with integrity, especially a first-class product from Nigeria’s premier university and a youngest chief of the largest city in West Africa with high dosage of humility, for any other aspirant” he said.
Oladele concluded by advising Nigerians not to sell their votes, stating that collecting money from politicians compromises their right to demand accountability.
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