Adekanmbi says his allegiance is to Oyo people, not Makinde

By Adejayan Gbenga

The 2027 governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, says his ambition is driven by competence, experience and a commitment to putting the interests of the people above personal or political considerations.

Adekanmbi stated this while featuring on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he discussed his political ambition, governance experience and plans for Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The former Oyo State commissioner for finance also addressed concerns about his political relationship with Governor Seyi Makinde and whether his administration, if elected, would simply continue the incumbent governor’s agenda.

Adekanmbi dismissed the suggestion that he would become a political stooge to Makinde, saying such an arrangement was neither contemplated nor acceptable.

According to him, Makinde had encouraged him to build his own political relationships and chart an independent course. He said the governor recently urged residents of the state to establish personal relationships with him, indicating that he would not be expected to intervene unnecessarily in his political affairs.

Adekanmbi said his relationships and networks across the state meant that his primary allegiance would be to the people of Oyo State. “Recently, Governor Makinde cautioned residents to build personal relationships with me, as he would not play the role of prevailing on me unnecessarily. I have also personally built relationships and robust networks with the people across various regions of the state,” he said.

“So, if you ask me, I think I would be a stooge to the over 7.5 million people of Oyo State,” the APM candidate added. He also noted that his years of involvement in governance had given him a practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the state.

Adekanmbi further highlighted his relationships with successive Oyo governors, saying he had benefited from their experiences, visions and lessons from their periods in office. Recalling his experience under the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, he said his return to the cabinet during Ajimobi’s second term gave him an opportunity to contribute to the administration.

He said his approach to governance would be based on practical experience, competence and an understanding of Oyo State’s institutional and developmental needs. Adekanmbi said he would maintain continuity in areas where existing policies and projects were producing positive results, while reviewing and improving areas that required better outcomes. He emerged as the APM consensus governorship candidate in May 2026 and has since commenced engagements with party stakeholders and residents across the state ahead of the 2027 election.