The 2027 governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, has rejected attempts to link him personally to an alleged N30 billion financial discrepancy reportedly associated with local government finances during the administration of the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Adekanmbi, who was Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning under Ajimobi, addressed the controversy while appearing on Arise News’ The Morning Show on Tuesday.
The former commissioner argued that the allegation had been presented in a manner that could wrongly suggest that the money was missing from the accounts of the Oyo State Government or the state Ministry of Finance.
According to him, the issue should instead be examined within the context of local government finances and the structures responsible for managing them.
Adekanmbi said he did not participate in the meetings where the transactions being questioned were allegedly discussed, stressing that he was not a member of the Joint Accounts Committee (JAC) meetings.
“The 30 billion, I didn’t say it got missing. You must separate the Oyo State Government from the local government. The money went missing in local government. I never attended one JAC meeting.
“The money is there, the records are there, the resignations should focus on local government of which I have absolutely no impact, none at all,” he said.
His response comes at a time when the political history and previous government appointments of leading contenders for the 2027 Oyo governorship are increasingly becoming subjects of public debate.
Adekanmbi’s period as a commissioner under the Ajimobi administration is particularly relevant to discussions about his suitability for the state’s top political office, with opponents and political observers expected to scrutinise his previous public service record as the election approaches.
The APM candidate, however, used the interview to draw a distinction between his responsibilities as finance commissioner and the local government financial arrangements at the centre of the N30 billion controversy.
Adekanmbi explains his emergence as APM candidate
Beyond the financial controversy, Adekanmbi spoke extensively about his political journey and his emergence as the APM’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
His candidacy was confirmed after the party’s governorship primary held in Ibadan in May.
The development has generated political discussions in Oyo State, particularly because of Adekanmbi’s relationship with Governor Seyi Makinde and his decision to build his campaign around elements of the current administration’s policies.
Some critics have suggested that his emergence was influenced or facilitated by Makinde, an allegation Adekanmbi dismissed during the interview.
He insisted that the process through which candidates emerged involved consultations and engagements across the state rather than the governor simply selecting individuals and imposing them on the party.
“The governor did not just sit down in his office and drop a list. There was a process leading to the emergence of all the candidates,” Adekanmbi said.
He explained that consultations extended beyond the governorship position, covering candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and Oyo State House of Assembly.
“There were public consultations and public engagements, with input from every sector and region of Oyo State. The governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates all emerged by consensus,” he added.
Adekanmbi also pointed to the absence of a major internal crisis within the party following the emergence of its candidates.
He said several predictions that the process would lead to divisions and instability within the party had not come to pass.
“And as you can see, there has been no rancour as such in the party. There were a lot of doomsday predictions that once this happens, the party will implode and explode but none of that has happened,” he stated.
Why Adekanmbi is backing ‘Omituntun 3.0’
One of the most significant aspects of Adekanmbi’s political message is his decision to campaign for what he calls “Omituntun 3.0”, a platform that presents his candidacy as a continuation of the development direction of the Makinde administration.
The position has prompted questions about whether Adekanmbi intends to operate as an extension of the incumbent governor if elected.
He strongly rejected that interpretation, insisting that his political relationship with Makinde should not be confused with a lack of independence.
Adekanmbi said Makinde had himself advised him not to inherit the governor’s political enemies or liabilities but to develop his own path.
“The second one, why am I saying Omituntun 3.0, am I a surrogate? I’m no surrogate to Governor Makinde. Governor Makinde has made it clear at many fora that ‘Bimbo, don’t inherit my enemies or liabilities; go and chart your own path,’” he said.
He further claimed that Makinde had publicly encouraged people to support his governorship ambition.
Adekanmbi recalled an occasion during the last Hijra celebration when he said the governor openly described him as the person who would become the next governor and urged people at the gathering to vote for him.
“The second time, at the last Hijra, he said to people who sat there that Bimbo is going to be your next governor, vote him,” Adekanmbi stated.
Despite acknowledging Makinde’s support, Adekanmbi maintained that he would accept responsibility for his own decisions and actions should he eventually become governor.
He said his political agenda would not be dictated by another individual, stressing that he had developed his own manifesto and strategy.
“I will not make a call on anybody’s behalf to Bimbo and for me, I’m owning every action I take as governor as I’ve always owned actions in my life, so I own it. I am prepared, I have my own manifesto and strategy,” he added.
Experience across different administrations
Adekanmbi also sought to highlight the breadth of his experience in Oyo State politics and governance.
He referenced his involvement in the administrations of former governors Adebayo Alao-Akala, Rashidi Ladoja, the late Abiola Ajimobi and the incumbent, Seyi Makinde.
For Adekanmbi, his exposure to successive administrations has provided him with an opportunity to observe different approaches to leadership and governance.
He argued that such experience could be useful if he is elected governor in 2027 because he has had the opportunity to witness both successful policies and shortcomings within different administrations.
“If I’m going to be a third term, I’ll be second term to Governor Akala, second term to Ladoja, third term to Governor Ajimobi, and third term to Seyi Makinde,” he said.
He added that his years of working with different political administrations had allowed him to gain a broader understanding of governance.
“I have been able to learn from the four of them and gotten insights on their strengths and weaknesses,” Adekanmbi said.
As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Bimbo Adekanmbi’s past in government, his relationship with Makinde and his proposed continuity agenda are expected to remain important issues in the contest.
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