Strong indications suggest that Ibadan billionaire Engr. Jubril Dotun Sanusi, with an estimated net worth of over $18.6 million, and the owner of Ilaji Resort, will contest the 2027 Oyo State Governorship election. Indications further show that Sanusi would like to contest under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling political party in the state.
Although Sanusi has not officially announced his candidature, his political strategic actions indicate that he is actively positioning himself for the contest. A common approach for political figures involves first establishing their relevance within the political arena and public consciousness. Sanusi has been doing this by engaging in extensive philanthropic efforts over the past few years. He has built a business empire that has generated wealth, reduced unemployment, and benefited from government patronage. These business successes, followed by various philanthropic activities, and his ally to people in the government in and outside Oyo State have solidified his reputation among the residents of the state and beyond.
Remarkably, in pursuance of his political ambition, Sanusi supports those in need by paying medical bills, supplying food items, and helping individuals struggling to make ends meet. For instance, recently, he constructed ICT hubs in schools across Ibadan, offered free transportation to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) attending job interviews, providing financial assistance to families in distress, provision of 15 500KVA transformers to Akanran town in Ona Ara Local Government after over 15 years of darkness, asphaltic renovation of the 17 km Olorunsogo-Akanran Road, and the organisation of several skills acquisition for youths. Beyond this, Sanusi made a giant step towards revolutionising the transportation system in the state with the introduction of the first electric bus, and electric motorcycles and solar-powered tricycles.
Besides, towards the electioneering campaign, official electioneering songs have started emerging. The official and accredited PDP singer in the state during the governorship election, Taye Currency, recently released a new music track that celebrates the remarkable achievements of Sanusi, where he praises Sanusi’s developmental strides, which have left an indelible mark on the people of Oyo State. In the track, Taye Currency, a popular Fuji maestro, and the father of Honorable Yusuf Oladeni Adebisi, representing Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1 at the Oyo State House of Assembly, sings of Sanusi’s generosity. It highlights how his philosophy of dedicating his wealth, resources, and time to the betterment of others has positively impacted thousands of lives in the state.
Beyond this, like the political history of the previous office seekers, who discreetly and sinisterly declare their intention through sponsored groups calling and begging them to contest, many groups are already taking turns calling on Sanusi to contest the next governorship election. For instance, a socio-political group, JDS Support and Humanitarian Organisation, with membership in the 351 wards of the state has advocated support for Sanusi to contest the forthcoming Governorship election, describing him as the messiah whose wealth of experiences across all sectors would enhance the economic growth of the state. The group chairman and its state coordinator, Engr. Sule Olaide and Mogaji Paul Igbinsola respectively, said that Sanusi’s experience in the private sector coupled with his excellent style of leadership has proven him to be the best man to occupy the seat of power in the state in 2027.
Also, a delegation of Islamic clerics from Ibadan visited Sanusi under the aegis of League of Imams and Alfas from the 11 local government areas in Ibadan pledged their support for him. They noted, “We need a masses-lover like you to come out. We are saying this because of the condition of the country at this point. Only people with love for the masses can bring a smile to everyone’s face… We have come to identify with everything you do.”
Also, the Oyo State Association of Panegyric Chanters has called Sanusi to join the 2027 governorship race. The association holds that the next governor must be someone who can create jobs, improve security, and provide quality education and since he has been doing it as a private person, he needs to be encouraged to continue the good work as a governor.
Furthermore, a youth group, Ibadan Youth Elite, in a communique signed by its president and secretary, Engr. Basir Adedoja and Festus Oloya said that they would beg Sanusi to contest the next governorship election. According to them, “It is high time we start appealing to outstanding personalities like Engr. Jubril Dotun Sanusi to join a political party of his choice to contest the 2027 governorship seat in Oyo state, someone like him will continue to make the difference like the present state governor, as he has what it takes to move the state to where it ought to be.”
The most recent call to Sanusi has just come from a popular Nollywood actor, Ayanfe Adekunle, popularly known as Monsuru, who made a public show of support to Sanusi in a statement attached with a release of a two-minute promo soundtrack. He praised Sanusi’s vision for the state and his commitment to socio-economic development, describing him as a philanthropist of note, humanitarian per excellent, and called on the state’s residents to support the political ambition of Sanusi.
To further show that Sanusi is among those who will shape the forthcoming political dispensation, his paid political adverts are on many media with his picture. The paid adverts write, “Oyo Dotun 2027, Jubril Dotun Sanusi (the uniter)”, courtesy of Oyo Dotun Solidarity Group, and “OyoDotun 2027, Engr Jubril Dotun Sanusi for 2027”, courtesy, religious leaders.
Although Sanusi has been quoted earlier that he was not interested in contesting the 2027 governorship election, a recent development said that he has finally agreed to run. According to a national magazine, City People, Sanusi has finally declared his intention to run for the governorship of Oyo State in 2027. According to the magazine, this development was confirmed by Sanusi with a poster he shared on his WhatsApp. The poster read: “OYODOTUN 2027, Governorship Candidate, Vote Engr. Jubril Dotun Sanusi, Oyo State Governor 2027”. Also attached to the post was a prayer note. It stated: “Yah Allah, aid me and do not aid against me, and grant me victory and do not grant victory over me, plan for me and do not plan against me, guide me and facilitate guidance for me, grant me victory over those who transgress against me. Of course, the turn of events is contrary to Sanusi’s earlier stand of not interested in running for political office.”
Practically, Sanusi may be alien to politics but he is a strong force that the residents of the state may likely give their support to as a result of his philanthropic gestures to the Tom, Dick and Harry of the society.
Born on October 17, 1968, into the family of Alhaji Ganiyu Oladosu Sanusi from Oja’ba, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Sanusi started his educational pursuit at Wesley Primary School, after which he had his secondary education at CAC Grammar School, Aperin, Oniyere, Ibadan. He read Petroleum Engineering at the Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Ibadan. He worked in the oil and gas sector in the Niger Delta Area, particularly in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. After working with Halliburton Nigeria Limited to Agpem Drilling, he established TNL Drilling Services. Coming to Ibadan, his home country, he established the Institute of College of Arts, Science and Technology (ICAST) in the Elebu area of the capital city of Oyo State, after which he established Ilaji Farms, an agricultural business enterprise and Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, a multi-billion naira hospitality/sporting facility.
At the traditional level, Sanusi is the Mogaji of the Olugbade family of Oja’ba, Ibadan, the Otun Apesinola of Ibadanland, and the Jagunmolu Olubadan of Ibadanland. On religion, Sanusi,, a Christian with a Muslim background, was awarded the highly referred Knight of John Wesley (KJW), by the Methodist Church Nigeria. The knighthood was conferred on the billionaire businessman on behalf of the church by the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev’d Oliver Ali Aba, during a special service of recognition for him and other awardees, held at the Wesley Methodist Cathedral, Elekuro, Ibadan.
However, the 2027 governorship contest cannot be a one-man show if PDP gives its governorship flag to Sanusi as he must be ready to take up candidates from other political parties. The current Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and Senator Teslim Folarin will also contest. The duo are members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) party. Adelabu who has contested twice under APC and Accord Party lost to Governor Seyi Makinde and Teslim, who contested last year also lost to Makinde. Apart from PDP, APC, Accord, and Labour Party (LP)), other political parties will field candidates who are likely going to be as light as wool.
