Gradually, the wheat is being separated from the chaff, and on a daily basis in Oyo State, we are beginning to see who truly means business in the race to Agodi come 2027. Among the emerging serious contenders is Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, engineer, technocrat, and now declared governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). His swift re-entry into the political arena is not only bold but emblematic of a broader call for representation, and perhaps regional balance.
True, Olaniyan is not a stranger to governance or public service. Born in 1960 in the town of Igboho in Oorelope Local Government Area, his rise from humble beginnings to occupying one of the top seats in the state is an attractive narration of ambition, intellect, and public service. He spent decades in the Oyo civil service, eventually rising to become the Permanent Secretary of the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA), having earlier served as its pioneer General Manager. Also, his professional path was shaped early through education, beginning at Baptist Primary School and Irepo Grammar School in Igboho, before moving on to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he studied Civil Engineering and graduated in 1985.
Even more, in the pursuit of excellence and global exposure, Olaniyan advanced his studies in the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the United States, acquiring professional knowledge in Water Resources, Conflict Resolution, and Public Sector Management. This technical background made him a key player in various development initiatives, particularly the World Bank-financed Oyo North Agricultural Development Project (ONADEP) and the Multi-State Roads Projects.
After retiring from public service in 2011, he transitioned into the private sector, chairing two construction companies, WestMidland Construction Company and Blueline Construction Services as Managing Director and CEO respectively. Also, he became a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), the Institute of Public Administration, and the Civilian Institute of Democratic Administration, while also being a registered member of COREN, the highest engineering regulatory body in Nigeria.
His entrance into partisan politics in 2019 was a strategic one. Olaniyan was chosen as the running mate to Seyi Makinde under the PDP platform, and they won convincingly. As Deputy Governor, he became the administration’s spokesperson on various national issues, often representing Makinde at official functions and providing political cover across the state. However, what started as a functional political partnership slowly fainted into a strained relationship. So by mid-2022, internal cracks had rotten and widened, and Olaniyan became embroiled in different accusations of “gross misconduct, administrative breaches, and insubordination”. These culminated in his controversial impeachment on July 18, 2022, a move many perceived as politically motivated, while others argued it was a result of his misalignment with the governor’s leadership style and inner circle.
Meanwhile, instead of retreating from the political scene or perhaps mending the torn spaces, Olaniyan defected to the APC and announced a renewed ambition to lead the state. His public image took a beating from the impeachment episode, with supporters portraying him as a victim of power politics, while critics questioned his ability to maintain loyalty and cohesion in a complex political structure. Nonetheless, his recent declaration at the APC general meeting in Igboho marked a changing moment, not just for his political revival but also for the wider Oke-Ogun agenda, as he rightly said.
In his address, Olaniyan made a case for equity, fairness, and inclusion. He lamented the consistent failure of past Oke-Ogun candidates to clinch the governorship, attributing it not to incompetence but to the politics of geography and marginalisation. He framed his 2027 ambition as more than a personal project, positioning it as a political imperative to correct historical injustice and give Oke-Ogun, a region with ten local governments, its long-overdue place in Oyo’s power structure.
Meanwhile, at the centre of Olaniyan’s bud is a campaign message anchored on social reengineering, inclusive development, and pragmatic leadership. He promises to leverage his civil engineering background and years of government experience to tackle infrastructural deficits, improve human capital, and introduce innovation in public administration. Whether the people of Oyo will see this as a credible roadmap or dismiss it as just another set of familiar political promises remains to be seen.
Yet, Olaniyan’s path to Agodi is lined with expected challenges. The “impeachment baggage” remains heavy. Whether rightly or wrongly, the allegations that led to his removal from misconduct to poor team synergy have left a “stain” that his opponents will not hesitate to exploit morally and politically. Also, within the APC, he is entering a crowded field. With figures like Teslim Folarin, Bayo Adelabu, and other power players already positioning themselves, Olaniyan must stand to navigate intense internal competition, party dynamics, and the influence of political godfathers.
Again, while he enjoys strong loyalty in Igboho and parts of Oke-Ogun, his appeal outside the region remains relatively weak. In key voting blocs like Ibadan and Ogbomoso, he lacks strong visibility and acceptance, a factor that could hinder statewide momentum. He must also contend with a party that remains “unapologetically factionalised”, with shifting loyalties uncertain primary structures and power from the top. Unlike some of his contemporaries, he does not currently boast a robust, youth-driven political machinery or social media traction that could energize the campaign. Will that even matter? Another necessary question is whether Olaniyan has the financial muscle to fund a serious governorship campaign in a state where politics is both capital-intensive and media-driven. As we all know without strong backing or self-sufficiency, his candidacy may struggle to compete with deeper pockets or better-organised rivals.
Now, to stand a real chance, Olaniyan must embark on a comprehensive rebranding journey. He must reframe his impeachment as the cost of principle and integrity, while also acknowledging any errors made during his time in office. He will need to forge powerful alliances with influential APC leaders, including former and current federal lawmakers, and traditional rulers, particularly in Ibadan and Ogbomoso. More so, if Oke-Ogun is ever to produce a governor, the region must unite behind a single, viable candidate. Olaniyan will need to prove that he is not just the most prominent son of the region but also the most electable.
Ultimately, Rauf Olaniyan represents a paradox in Oyo’s political journey, a man who once sat at the heart of power but was cast out; a technocrat rooted in grassroots sensibilities; and a candidate whose aspiration carries both personal and symbolic weight for a region long neglected. If he can successfully reframe his narrative, build strategic alliances, and present a compelling, issue-based vision for Oyo State, he may yet transform a political downfall into a historic comeback. Maybe he can? If he fails, however, 2027 might simply become another chapter in the long story of how Oke-Ogun almost had its moment, again.
Ogungbile Emmanuel Oludotun writes for Oyo Affairs
Add Comment