Oyo 2027: I’m no surrogate to Makinde — APM candidate Adekanmbi

The governorship candidate of the Action People’s Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Abimola Adekanmbi, has said he is not a surrogate of Governor Seyi Makinde and would run his administration independently if elected in the 2027 governorship election.

Adekanmbi made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television while speaking about the emergence of the APM’s candidates and his relationship with the outgoing governor.

The APM candidate said Makinde did not simply impose candidates on the party, insisting that the process involved consultations and engagements across Oyo State.

“The governor did not sit in his office and simply drop a list. There was a process that led to the emergence of all the candidates,” Adekanmbi said.

According to him, the party consulted different stakeholders and received input from various sectors and regions of the state before arriving at its candidates.

“There were consultations and public engagements, with input from every sector and region of Oyo State,” he said.

Adekanmbi said the party’s candidates for the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and Oyo State House of Assembly emerged through consensus.

He, however, stressed that his candidacy should not be interpreted as an arrangement for him to govern as Makinde’s proxy.

“I’m no surrogate to Governor Makinde,” Adekanmbi said.

He added that Makinde had made it clear to him that he was not expected to inherit the governor’s political enemies or liabilities.

“The governor made it clear that I shouldn’t inherit his enemies or liabilities,” he said.

Adekanmbi further said he would take responsibility for his decisions and policies if elected governor, rather than simply continue the political direction of his predecessor.

“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,” he said.

The APM candidate also said he had developed his own political agenda, and that a personal manifesto and strategy would guide his campaign.

“I have my own manifesto and strategy,” Adekanmbi said.