Oyo lawmakers endorse Makinde’s preferred gov aspirant

Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, have endorsed Bimbo Adekanmbi, the preferred aspirant of Governor Seyi Makinde, for the 2027 governorship election in the state.

The lawmakers arrived at the resolution during a “strategic breakfast meeting” with Adekanmbi at his Iyaganku GRA residence in Ibadan on Wednesday.

According to a statement by the media aide to the Speaker, Oyetunji Oyekunle, the delegation endorsed Adekanmbi as the governorship aspirant of the Allied Peoples Movement in the state ahead of the 2027 general election.

Makinde had last week, during a meeting with stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, announced Adekanmbi, a former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State, as his preferred governorship aspirant.

The governor subsequently met with other gubernatorial aspirants to calm frayed nerves, inform them of his choice, and rally support for Adekanmbi ahead of the governorship election.

The endorsement also came hours ahead of the “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026,” expected to feature the declaration of a political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement in the state.

According to the statement, Wednesday’s meeting focused on strengthening party unity, building early political structures, and ensuring a coordinated approach towards the 2027 governorship election.

Addressing the gathering, the Speaker described Adekanmbi as an experienced political figure capable of sustaining good governance and providing purposeful leadership for the state.

Ogundoyin noted that the endorsement by the lawmakers was borne out of their “collective conviction in Adekanmbi’s leadership capacity, political maturity, and understanding of governance.”

“We believe Bimbo Adekanmbi possesses the experience, exposure, and political understanding required to move Oyo State forward. Our gathering here today is not just symbolic; it reflects our confidence in his ability to unite stakeholders and provide inclusive leadership for the people of the state,” he said.

He added that members of the House remained committed to supporting initiatives and individuals who would sustain political stability, strengthen democratic institutions, and consolidate developmental strides across the state.

Ogundoyin further stressed the importance of early consultations and grassroots mobilisation.

He noted that internal cohesion and strategic planning would play major roles in determining the success of political parties during the polls.

In his remarks, Adekanmbi appreciated the lawmakers and party stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him, describing the endorsement as a major responsibility and a call to greater service.

He pledged to ensure inclusive and people-oriented leadership, particularly by consolidating the achievements of the Governor Seyi Makinde administration in infrastructure development, education, healthcare delivery, economic expansion, and youth empowerment across the state.

“I am deeply honoured by this show of confidence and solidarity from the lawmakers and party leaders. This endorsement is not just about me as an individual. It is about our collective aspiration to build a more prosperous, united, and progressive Oyo State,” he said.

He assured party members that he would continue extensive consultations across all geopolitical zones in the state to ensure inclusiveness and unity within the party.

Adekanmbi also emphasised the importance of issue-based politics, urging political actors to avoid divisive tendencies capable of creating unnecessary tension within the political space.

Some lawmakers who spoke during the meeting described the endorsement as timely, noting that early alignment among party stakeholders would help reduce internal disagreements and strengthen the APM in Oyo State ahead of the next governorship election.