The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement in Oyo State, Abimbola Adekanmbi, has said he is not a political surrogate of Governor Seyi Makinde ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Adekanmbi, who previously served as the state Commissioner for Finance, made the clarification during an interview with Arise News on Tuesday. He said he had his own plans and policy direction for the state and would be responsible for his decisions if elected governor.
The APM candidate explained that although his political journey had been linked to the current administration, he would not simply continue the governor’s political battles or take on issues associated with Makinde.
Adekanmbi said he intended to run an administration based on his own manifesto and strategy. He added that he was prepared to accept responsibility for whatever decisions he made while in office.
He also spoke about the process that produced candidates for various elective positions in Oyo State. According to him, the emergence of the candidates was not the result of Governor Makinde sitting alone and selecting names.
He said the process involved consultations and engagements with people from different parts and sectors of the state. These discussions, he explained, contributed to the emergence of candidates for the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly elections.
Adekanmbi maintained that the candidates were produced through a consensus-building process involving different interests across Oyo State.
The former commissioner further presented his governorship bid as an opportunity to pursue his own political agenda rather than simply serve as an extension of the incumbent governor.
He said that if elected, he would take full ownership of his administration and would be judged by his own decisions, policies and performance.
His comments come as political activities gather pace in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections, with candidates and political parties seeking to define their positions and convince voters of their plans for the state.