If there’s any election in Oyo State and Barrister Adebayo Shittu hasn’t made a statement or stirred conversation, then something is definitely missing. Bayo Shittu is that recurring political figure, always vocal, always involved, always declaring interest, yet rarely making it past the talking gate. Except for his appointment as the Minister of Communications under President Buhari, Shittu has often been regular critic on the sidelines, challenging incumbents, clashing with allies, and throwing jabs at both predecessors and successors. Now, as Oyo gears up for the 2027 governorship race, the question returns with revived urgency, can this long-standing political agitator finally translate his noise into acceptance?
He was born on March 23, 1953, Bayo Shittu’s academic and political stem run deep. He studied Law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), graduating in 1978 and then called to the Nigerian Bar shortly after. By 1979, at 26, he became the youngest member of the old Oyo State House of Assembly, launching the start of a career that would span law, activism, controversy, and sustained political ambition. His service as Commissioner for Information under late Governor Omololu Olunloyo in 1983, Attorney General under Governor Rashidi Ladoja, and Minister of Communications from 2015 to 2019 are only parts of a long journey filled with ideological battles and manoeuvrings.
However, for all his experience, Shittu has earned a reputation not just as a seasoned politician, but as an unapologetic critic of successive administrations, often more famous for what he says than what he delivers. His fallout with the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, despite being from the same APC family, was quite dramatic and damaging. He accused Ajimobi of marginalizing him and also alienating Oke Ogun interests. That same critical lens has now recently turned toward Governor Seyi Makinde, whom Shittu claims “stole his ideas,” particularly around rural development and digital policy. For a regular observer of Oyo political scene, Shittu’s audacity is familiar, but so is the pattern: he talks big, enters the race, fights within his party, and exits bruised. Still, he’s back again, talking, preparing, and promising.
Meanwhile, there is no denying that Shittu’s experience and political longevity place him in the very rare company. From the Second Republic to the Buhari administration, he has been part of Oyo’s political evolution for over four decades. His good knowledge of governmental workings at both state and federal levels places him as someone with deep institutional memory. Also his legal background is another plus. Having served as Attorney General and practiced law for years, Shittu has a command of constitutional issues and public policy mechanics that could benefit Oyo in a time of legal and governance reforms.
Obviously, as Minister of Communications, he bagged the national visibility and policy-level exposure. His involvement in ICT policy design and advocacy for digital expansion, even if not fully executed, remains one of his strongest contributions. These connections, both in Abuja and within donor circles could prove useful for developmental partnerships if harnessed properly. Shittu also has the edge of party loyalty and “consistency”. He has been part of the progressive family since the days of the CPC, remaining within the APC fold even through internal betrayals. In a party where shifting allegiances can sink ambitions, his “consistency” might give him credibility, especially if the party leans toward a candidate with ideological stability.
Again, his early release of a seven-point agenda, focused on education, healthcare, ICT, youth empowerment, rural development, infrastructure, and security sets a policy tone that could differentiate him from slogan-driven contenders. If it is something to count?
However today, Shittu’s baggage is as heavy as his résumé is long. Perhaps his biggest challenge is his history of controversies and a lack of electoral success. The NYSC exemption scandal during his ministerial era did quite a damage to his credibility. He was also widely criticised for failing to use his federal influence to bring tangible projects to Oyo State, particularly to his Oke Ogun homeland. Imagine ?
More damning is his poor record at the polls. Since his 2011 governorship run under CPC ended in defeat, Shittu hasn’t been able to secure any major elective position in the Fourth Republic. In 2019, he couldn’t even get on the APC ballot, reportedly due to internal party clashes and a lack of support from key leaders. There is also a sense that Shittu may be out of touch with today’s political demands. With a growing population of young, digital-savvy voters, Shittu’s old-school style may no longer connect. His rhetoric often feels dated, and without deliberate youth engagement, he risks becoming an outlived substance of a bygone political era.
Still, Oyo’s “complex” political climate offers Shittu a few windows of opportunity. First, reconciliation within the APC is very critical. If Shittu can broker peace with power players like Teslim Folarin, Bayo Adelabu, and late Abiola Ajimoji faithfuls, he could become a compromise candidate or at least gain the backing needed to survive the primaries. Unity, not volume, is his best strategy. He can also ride the wave of regional equity. As an Oke Ogun native, he represents a part of Oyo State that has never produced a governor. If that rotational sentiments gain traction, especially in a post-Makinde dispensation, Shittu could frame himself as the long-denied voice of the marginalised north. But is he even popular in Oke-ogun?
He must also rebrand and reintroduce himself, especially to the youth. His campaign cannot be built on unnecessary grievances or past slights. Instead, it must be forward-looking, tech-enabled, and rooted in consequential policy. He must remind voters of what he stands for, not just who he fought.
Engaging in policy-heavy messaging could help. While others may chase populist narratives, Shittu can bring the conversation back to practical governance, using his strength in law, ICT, and federal strategy to offer structured solutions to Oyo’s challenges.
However, even with all these, the challenges remain steep. One is public perception. Many voters remember him more for fights than for results. Others see him as a “perennial aspiran” who enters every race but never finishes strong. Unless he reshapes this perception, it will be hard to convert recognition into respect.
Another necessary challenge is funding. Unlike some of his peers with deep financial war chests or access to godfathers and elite donors, Bayo Shittu doesn’t look like a man with the kind of money needed to run a competitive gubernatorial campaign in today’s Oyo politics. His lifestyle and political history do not project financial largesse, and even worse, many insiders say he is notoriously stingy when it comes to oiling party structures. Stories abound of Shittu refusing to support party foot soldiers during election seasons or neglecting the political culture of “settlement” that keeps party loyalists engaged. This has earned him a reputation as selfish and tight-fisted, which in Nigerian politics can be fatal. He may be a “principled figure” in his own eyes, but without the financial machinery or goodwill of powerful stakeholders, his ambition risks being suffocated before it even takes off.
Another looming obstacle is the APC primary itself. If aspirants like Folarin, Adelabu, or even new entrants like Sunday Dare or Fatai Buhari join the race, the field becomes extremely competitive. Shittu will need not just popularity, but the structure, funding, and endorsements to pull through. Finally, timing may not be on his side. At 74 by 2027, questions of energy, health, and generational shift may dominate conversations. If the mood in Oyo tilts toward younger leadership, Shittu will need to make a compelling case for why he represents renewal rather than repetition. You know?
Finally, Bayo Shittu is not a newcomer, and that’s both his blessing and his burden. His long route through Nigeria’s turbulent political waters has made him wise, but also “worn”. His return to the 2027 conversation feels inevitable, he’s always talking, always showing up, but now he must show results. Can he finally convert decades of ambition into a singular moment of victory? That will depend on his ability to silence the echoes of past failures, unify a fractured APC party, inspire a new generation, and present himself not just as a veteran, but as a visionary.
For now, his comeback remains a loud possibility, but as always with Shittu, the question is not whether he can talk the talk. It’s whether he can finally walk the path to Agodi. And this time, finish the journey. Let’s see
Ogungbile Emmanuel Oludotun writes for Oyo Affairs
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