Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has publicly declared Bimbo Adekanmbi as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election in the state.
Makinde made the announcement on Thursday during Adekanmbi’s unveiling as the consensus governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The endorsement followed weeks of speculation surrounding Makinde’s support for Adekanmbi, particularly after the governor announced his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
At the joint mega rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APM, Makinde and Adekanmbi were seen together alongside leaders and officials of both parties.
Addressing supporters at the event, Makinde described Adekanmbi’s candidacy as a continuation of his administration’s “Omituntun” agenda.
“I am here to tell you all two things. First, I want to thank you for your support towards this administration and also for the current political arrangement in Oyo state, which will also go national very soon,” Makinde said.
“You have tasted Omituntun 1.0 and 2.0. Is it sweet, or not? This is Omituntun 3.0.”
While formally endorsing Adekanmbi, the governor advised him to forge his own political path rather than inherit his political battles, while also sustaining the achievements of the current administration.
“I have told Bimbo, don’t inherit my enemies; chart your own path. I’m only human, and I make mistakes, just like everyone else,” Makinde stated.
“He should improve on the good things we have done for the benefit of the people of Oyo State.”
In his acceptance speech after emerging as the APM governorship candidate during the party’s primary election at the Watershed Event Centre, Old Ife Road, Ibadan, Adekanmbi pledged to build on Makinde’s achievements across key sectors.
“We will build upon the foundation laid by Gov. Makinde to deliver development in education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, technology, and commerce sectors,” he said.
He also promised to prioritise security and ensure the protection of lives and property if elected in 2027.
Adekanmbi expressed appreciation to members of both the APM and PDP for what he described as a successful political coalition.
Speaking further at the rally, Makinde commended residents for supporting his administration and urged them to maintain support for the APM ahead of the election.
The governor also defended the establishment of the Amotekun security outfit, saying the initiative became necessary due to delays in creating state police.
According to him, state police should be established through state assemblies rather than directives from the Inspector General of Police.
Earlier, the Oyo State Chairman of the APM, Fagbemi Adegbenro, stated that party members across the state’s 351 wards unanimously endorsed Adekanmbi’s candidacy.
He described the move as a step toward sustaining good governance in Oyo State before presenting the candidate with a Certificate of Return.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission reportedly monitored the affirmation exercise.
