*Beyond Appreciation: How Adekanmbi’s Tour Became APM’s First Campaign Platform*

As political parties in Oyo State continue to grapple with post-primary disputes and internal realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Allied People’s Movement (APM) appears to have adopted a different strategy. Rather than becoming entangled in internal wrangling, the party’s governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, and his running mate, Engr. Muftau Open-Salawu has embarked on a statewide “Thank-You Tour” that has gradually evolved into a political mobilisation exercise spanning every geopolitical zone of the state.

Initially conceived as an appreciation visit to party members for the confidence reposed in Adekanmbi during the party’s governorship primary, the tour grew into one of the earliest statewide political engagements ahead of the February 2027 governorship election.

From Ibadan to Ibarapa, Oyo, Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun, the APM standard-bearer consistently delivered a message centred on gratitude, party unity, inclusive governance and grassroots development, while using the opportunity to engage directly with party faithful, traditional stakeholders, community leaders, women and youth groups.

*Beyond Appreciation*

Political observers say the significance of the tour extends beyond routine appreciation visits.

Across the various locations visited, the engagements resembled town hall meetings where residents and party members interacted directly with the governorship candidate, presenting local concerns while listening to his vision for the state.

Large crowds reportedly welcomed the APM delegation in many communities, with attendance cutting across different political interests, suggesting growing curiosity around the party’s campaign ahead of the 2027 contest.

Accompanied by Open-Salawu and senior party officials, Adekanmbi repeatedly described the tour as an opportunity not only to express gratitude but also to reconnect with the grassroots.

“This tour is not just about saying thank you. It is also about listening to our people. We want to hear their concerns and work together to build a greater Oyo State,” he told supporters during one of the engagements.

*Unity as the Central Message*

One recurring theme throughout the tour has been party cohesion.

Adekanmbi urged party members across the state to remain united, insisting that political success would depend on discipline, cooperation and collective commitment.

According to him, building a formidable political platform requires harmony among party leaders, stakeholders, and members at every level.

“The task before us is bigger than any individual. We must remain united and work together because only together can we build the Oyo State we all desire,” he said.

The message resonated particularly during visits to Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, Igboho, and several communities in Oke-Ogun, where party leaders reaffirmed their support and pledged to work collectively toward the party’s electoral ambition.

*Selling a Governance Agenda*

Beyond party mobilisation, the tour also provided Adekanmbi with a platform to articulate his vision for Oyo State.

He outlined an agenda centered on inclusive governance, economic growth, quality education, improved healthcare, youth and women’s empowerment, infrastructure development, and social welfare.

Drawing from his experience as a former Chairman of the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Adekanmbi recalled community-driven projects implemented across Surulere, Ogo-Oluwa, and other parts of the state in education, healthcare, water supply, and rural infrastructure.

According to him, sustainable development is achieved when communities participate actively in identifying and implementing projects that affect their daily lives.

He pledged that, if elected governor, every community would benefit from government interventions through participatory governance and equitable distribution of public resources.

“Our government will focus on grassroots development. Every community will have a voice, and every part of Oyo State will benefit,” he assured.

*Omituntun 3.0 Vision**

During engagements in Oyo Federal Constituency, comprising Oyo East, Oyo West, Afijio, and Atiba Local Government Areas, Adekanmbi introduced what he described as the “Omituntun 3.0” agenda.

According to him, the programme seeks to consolidate existing developmental achievements while expanding opportunities in economic development, security, education, employment generation, youth empowerment, and social welfare.

He maintained that the vision is aimed at ensuring balanced development across urban and rural communities.

*Responding to Community Challenges*

The tour was not limited to politics.

In Ibadan, Adekanmbi visited traders affected by the devastating Bode Market fire, donating cash to support victims whose businesses were destroyed.

He appealed to governments, private organisations, and public-spirited individuals to extend assistance to those who lost their means of livelihood.

“As important as politics and governance are, they must put the needs of the people first, particularly whenever disasters strike,” he said.

Similarly, during his visit to Ogbomoso, Adekanmbi expressed concern over the kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area, lamenting the death of teacher Michael Oyedokun and praying for the safe return of abducted pupils and teachers who were still in captivity at the time.

He described the incident as another reminder of the growing security challenges confronting many Nigerian communities.

*Party Leaders Close Ranks*

The statewide engagement attracted virtually all categories of APM leadership.

Among those who accompanied Adekanmbi were his deputy governorship candidate, Open-Salawu; Oyo State APM Chairman, Hon. Fagbemi Adegbenro Peters; Alliance Chairman, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro; Oyo North Senatorial candidate, Hon. Shina Peller; House of Representatives candidates, including Hon. John Oke Abioye and Hon. Sunday Ojo Makanjuola (SMATO); as well as House of Assembly candidates across the various constituencies visited.

In Igboho, where party members from Irepo, Oorelope and Olorunsogo Local Government Areas gathered for a grand reception, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the party while pledging to intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Adekanmbi assured members that his administration, if elected, would embrace fairness, equity, and broad consultations in governance.

“No one will be left behind. Every member of our party and every community in Oyo State will have a sense of belonging,” he said.

*Setting the Stage for 2027*

With the completion of the thank-you tour across all political zones of Oyo State, political analysts believe the APM has concluded the first phase of its political engagement well ahead of the formal commencement of campaigns.

The exercise has provided the party with an opportunity to consolidate internal unity, strengthen grassroots structures, and gather feedback from communities across the state.

Attention is now expected to shift toward campaign planning, policy articulation, and voter engagement as preparations intensify for the official campaign season expected later in the year.

Whether the goodwill generated during the statewide tour will translate into electoral success in February 2027 remains to be seen. However, one conclusion appears evident: by combining appreciation with consultation, grassroots engagement and policy messaging, Adekanmbi and his running mate have sought to place the APM on a steady political course as the race for Agodi Government House gradually gathers momentum.