Ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Hon. Abimbola Adekanmbi of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) is quietly building momentum across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas, leveraging a mix of technocratic credibility, grassroots endorsements, and alignment with the state’s ruling structure.
Adekanmbi, a former Commissioner for Finance under the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, has been positioned as Governor Seyi Makinde’s preferred successor. His entry into the PDP before the party’s alignment with APM has drawn support from technocrats, grassroots structures, and youth groups who cite his record in public finance and education empowerment.
“The emergence of Abimbola Adekanmbi carried strategic political significance beyond the immediate succession debate,” political insiders noted in recent consultations. Known for his technocratic background, Adekanmbi is viewed as a bridge between different political tendencies in the state.
His acceptability has been evident in endorsements from the Forum of 33 Local Government Party Secretaries, who described his candidacy as “a step in the right direction for the future of the state”. The group said Adekanmbi possesses the experience and political understanding required to sustain developmental strides in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development.
“Beyond public office, Hon. Adekanmbi has remained rooted in grassroots service,” a recent profile noted. “His belief that education unlocks human potential has inspired countless young people and families across Oyo State.”
That record resonates in a state where over 40% of the population is aged between 15 and 29. Political analysts say his blend of technocratic background and youth-focused interventions could give him an edge in engaging Oyo’s youth bulge, especially in urban centres like Ibadan, Oyo , Iseyin, Ogbomoso, and Saki.
Adekanmbi’s candidacy also coincides with a shift in APM’s political standing. The party has recently absorbed key defectors from the PDP, including Governor Makinde and Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, a move described by APM’s Board of Trustees as one that “has altered the political equation ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
The realignment has positioned APM as a platform for continuity in Oyo, with Adekanmbi as its standard-bearer. Party insiders say the strategy is to avoid the perception of a top-down imposition by pairing high-level endorsements with ward-level mobilisation, radio outreach, and digital engagement.
Analysts note that Adekanmbi’s ability to project himself as “a familiar face in governance but without the heavy political baggage that usually divides stakeholders” could shape the dynamics of the race.
Political alignments in Oyo are already shifting ahead of the 2027 governorship election. With APM positioning itself as the continuity platform and Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi consolidating endorsements, the race is shaping up to affirm that technocratic acceptability and political experience will translate into electoral victory.
GSM advocates noted that Governor Seyi Makinde’s track record across the state, combined with Adekanmbi’s reputation for competence and grassroots engagement, are factors that could sway a state known for its competitive and unpredictable contests.
