The Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Oyo State has replaced its governorship candidate for the 2027 election, naming Mogaji Agboola as its new flag bearer.
The change was approved during a substitution plenary held by the party in Ibadan on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Agboola takes over from Michael Okunlade, whose name had previously been listed as the party’s candidate for the governorship contest.
Following his emergence, the party tasked Agboola with bringing members together, strengthening the party’s structures and expanding its presence across all 33 local government areas of Oyo State.
The development comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.
The SDP leadership said its goal was not simply to field a candidate but to build a strong political structure capable of winning the governorship seat.
Agboola said the party was entering the election with the intention of securing victory rather than using its governorship ticket for political bargaining.
He said the SDP would seek to introduce a different style of governance if it wins the election.
He said Oyo State needed to move away from old methods of governance and adopt systems that could produce better results in a changing society.
According to him, the SDP plans to bring fresh ideas and practical solutions to the state’s challenges.
The new candidate also said his proposed administration would place the people at the centre of its programmes.
He said the government would work towards creating systems that could turn the skills, talents and resources available in the state into lasting economic opportunities.
Agboola argued that Oyo could do more than serve as a source of resources for other places.
He said residents should be given better opportunities to develop their skills and use them to contribute to the state’s economic growth.
He further rejected any suggestion that the SDP ticket could be used as a bargaining tool before the 2027 election.
Agboola maintained that the party would contest the election on its own platform and seek victory based on its programme and the strength of its candidate.
The governorship candidate also expressed readiness to participate in a public debate with other contenders in the race.
He said such an engagement would give voters the opportunity to compare the different plans and policies being offered by the candidates.
On the issue of disagreements within the party, Agboola said his leadership would welcome members who had become dissatisfied with recent developments.
He promised an open approach and called on aggrieved members to return and contribute to the party’s efforts ahead of the election.
Okunlade, whose name was removed from the governorship ticket, congratulated Agboola on his emergence and described the development as a new stage for the SDP in Oyo State.
He praised party members for the manner in which they handled the substitution process and commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for overseeing the exercise.
Okunlade urged the new candidate to remain committed to the party and work with its members towards winning the 2027 election.
He said the party’s immediate task was to increase its activities and visibility throughout the state’s local government areas and wards.
He also warned against a situation where political candidates use a party’s platform to contest elections and later abandon its members and structures. According to him, candidates must remain connected to the party because unity, commitment and strong grassroots organisation would be needed to achieve victory.
