IBADAN — The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Abimola Adekanmbi, has drawn a clear distinction between his political ambition and Governor Seyi Makinde’s legacy, insisting that his bid for the governorship is anchored on his own vision, manifesto and governing strategy.
Adekanmbi said he would not approach the 2027 governorship contest as a political surrogate, stressing that he intends to take full ownership of his decisions and responsibilities if elected governor.
“I’m no surrogate to Governor Makinde. The governor made it clear that I shouldn’t inherit his enemies or liabilities,” he said.
The APM candidate also offered insight into the process that produced the party’s candidates across elective positions, saying their emergence followed consultations and engagements involving stakeholders from different sectors and regions of the state.
According to him, the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates emerged through a consensus-driven process, rather than through the unilateral imposition of names by the governor.
Adekanmbi further emphasised that while his political journey may have emerged within an existing political framework, his leadership would ultimately be defined by his personal convictions and policy direction.
“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 declared.
His position signals an attempt to present his candidacy as one that can acknowledge the political foundation on which it emerged while establishing an independent identity, agenda and governing philosophy ahead of the 2027 Oyo State governorship election.
