Adekanmbi: I’m no Makinde surrogate — only the people of Oyo

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, on Tuesday firmly rejected suggestions that he is a political surrogate or stooge of Governor Seyi Makinde, insisting that his loyalty and accountability rest solely with the people of the state.

Speaking on Arise News’ Morning Show and later reinforcing the message on his official X handle, Adekanmbi dismissed claims that his candidacy was designed to allow Makinde to retain influence after leaving office in 2027.

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“I’m no surrogate to Governor Makinde. The governor made it clear that I shouldn’t inherit his enemies or liabilities,” he said. “I’m owning every action I take as governor, just as I have always owned my actions in life. I own it, and I’m prepared. I have my own manifesto and strategy.”

He added that he has no godfather apart from the people of Oyo State and would take full responsibility for every decision if elected. In related remarks, Adekanmbi framed his role differently: he would serve as a “surrogate” to the millions of residents of the state rather than any individual politician.

Adekanmbi also pushed back against the idea that candidates for the 2027 elections emerged through a list imposed by the governor. He explained that the process involved wide consultations and public engagements drawing input from different sectors and regions of the state. The governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates, he said, all emerged by consensus.

The former Commissioner for Finance under the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi has repeatedly stressed that while he intends to build on the achievements of the current administration—often described as the Omituntun agenda—he will chart an independent course. Makinde himself has publicly endorsed Adekanmbi as his preferred successor and urged him not to inherit political enemies but to forge his own path.

Adekanmbi’s emergence as APM consensus candidate in May 2026 came amid a strategic realignment in Oyo politics. Facing internal crises and court cases within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Makinde and his political structure shifted candidates to the APM platform, which they described as free of legal distractions. Makinde is himself the APM presidential candidate for 2027.

A technocrat with experience spanning banking, enterprise technology consulting and public service under successive Oyo governors, Adekanmbi has presented himself as prepared for the demands of office from day one. His running mate is Engineer Muftau Open-Salawu.

The clarification comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Adekanmbi continuing engagements across the state to consolidate support.