Chairman of Pentagon Engineering and prominent politician, Engr. Femi Babalola, popularly known as Jogor, has hinted at the possibility of joining the 2027 governorship race in Oyo State should the calibre of aspirants vying for the Governorship seat in 2027, fall short of expectation.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the businessman and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said while he is presently observing the political climate, he has not been convinced by any of the emerging aspirants for the governorship seat.
“I am studying the situation and I can assure you, I am yet to be convinced. If the calibre of aspirants coming out now does not meet my expectation, I will contest,” he declared.
Jogor, who commended the performance of Governor Seyi Makinde, said the administration had delivered significantly across key sectors and deserved commendation. He stressed that the governor’s performance should be a reference point for those aspiring to succeed him.
“The performance of Engr. Seyi Makinde is excellent and I can tell you he has done considerably well. His delivery on infrastructure, education, healthcare and workers’ welfare is visible. Any aspirant coming forward must be able to match or surpass this record,” he noted.
On the zoning arrangement recently adopted by the PDP at the national level, Babalola described it as a masterstroke, insisting that it has not only silenced nay sayers but also demonstrated the party’s readiness to reclaim power at the centre in 2027.
He, however, urged that the same principle of zoning be entrenched across state chapters of the party to give marginalized areas a fair chance in the contest for political offices.
“The zoning arrangement by the PDP is excellent. It has cleared the doubt about the PDP’s readiness to return to the presidency. But this must also reflect across state chapters. Marginalized areas in each state should be given the chance. That is the only way equity and fairness can be entrenched,” he said.
On the state of the nation, the Pentagon Engineering boss faulted the performance of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing their policies as anti-people.
“The performance of the Tinubu led APC is far below expectation. Nigerians are hungry and angry. Instead of providing relief, the policies of this government have plunged more citizens into poverty. The PDP is better positioned to save Nigerians from the grief stricken policies of the Tinubu led APC,” Babalola asserted.
Babalola, whose name resonates in Oyo politics for his deep involvement in PDP affairs and contributions to party financing, stopped short of a formal declaration but maintained that he would not sit idle if the PDP in Oyo state failed to produce quality contenders ahead of the 2027 polls.
He assured party faithful and residents of the state that when the time comes, his decision would be guided by the overall interest of the people of Oyo State and the survival of democracy.
