2027: Adekanmbi Vows to Serve Oyo People, Rejects ‘Stooge’ Label

The 2027 governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, has declared that his ambition to govern the state 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 the Morning Show programme of Arise Television, where he spoke on 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 over his political relationship with Governor Seyi Makinde and whether his administration, if elected, would simply continue the incumbent governor’s agenda.

Responding to a question on whether he could become a political stooge to Governor Makinde, Adekanmbi said such an arrangement was neither contemplated nor acceptable, stressing that Makinde himself had encouraged him to develop his own political relationships and chart an independent course.

According to him, Governor Makinde recently urged residents of the state to build personal relationships with him, indicating that he would not be expected to intervene unnecessarily in his political affairs.

Adekanmbi said his extensive relationships and networks across the state had made his primary allegiance one that was owed 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.»

“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 said his years of involvement in governance had given him a practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the state.

Adekanmbi also highlighted his relationships with successive governors of Oyo State, saying he had benefited from their experiences, visions and lessons from their time in office.

He recalled his experience under the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, particularly during the governor’s second term, when he was recalled into the cabinet shortly after its dissolution.

According to him, his role during that period gave him an opportunity to contribute significantly to the running of the administration.

“I have a robust relationship with all previous governors of Oyo State and I have been fortunate to drink from their wealth of experiences. They have also shared with me some of their visions for the state and some of their regrets, starting from the Great Lam, Senator Ladoja, Kabiyesi Olubadan, Governor Akala and, more engagingly, Governor Ajimobi,” he said.

Adekanmbi stressed that his approach to governance would not be based on political rhetoric, but on practical experience, competence and an understanding of the state’s institutional and developmental needs.

He, however, said continuity would remain important in areas where existing government policies and projects were yielding positive results, while promising to review and improve areas where the people require better outcomes.

The former commissioner said his experience across different government responsibilities had equipped him with the knowledge required to provide what he described as effective, independent and people-focused leadership.

Adekanmbi 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.