Oyo APC Peace Advocates’ Elder David Oluokun urges 2027 governorship candidates to showcase their achievements and records instead of relying on borrowed popularity.
The Oyo State APC Peace Advocates Publicity Secretary, Elder David Oluokun, has challenged all governorship candidates preparing for the 2027 election to campaign on the strength of their personal records, achievements and contributions to society rather than relying on the popularity of political figures backing them.
Oluokun made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, titled: “2027: Candidates Should Campaign on Their Records, Not Borrowed Popularity.”
His comments came against the backdrop of a recent political gathering in Oyo State where the Master of Ceremonies (MC), while welcoming dignitaries and prominent personalities, reportedly did not mention the APM governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, among those introduced at the event.
According to Oluokun, the development raised questions about Adekanmbi’s personal political visibility and the strength of his record of service within the community.
He noted that Governor Seyi Makinde subsequently took the microphone to introduce Adekanmbi to the gathering, describing the incident as a development that should prompt wider reflection as political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election intensify.
Oluokun questioned how long Governor Makinde would continue to provide political visibility for Adekanmbi, arguing that every candidate seeking the governorship should be capable of standing before the people and presenting a personal record of service.
“For how long will Governor Makinde continue to carry Adekanmbi politically before he can independently stand before the people of Oyo State and confidently speak about his own record?” he asked.
The APC Peace Advocates spokesman stressed that Adekanmbi and Governor Makinde are separate political individuals, adding that whatever achievements can legitimately be attributed to the present administration should not automatically be regarded as the personal achievements of its preferred successor.
According to him, candidates seeking the mandate of Oyo voters should be ready to demonstrate what they have personally accomplished, the communities they have impacted and the problems they have helped solve.
He said the 2027 governorship election should not become a contest based on what he described as “borrowed achievements or borrowed popularity,” but should instead focus on records, competence, character, experience, capacity and vision.
Oluokun challenged every governorship candidate to answer fundamental questions about their political and community records.
“What have you personally done? Which communities can point to your contributions? What problems have you helped solve? What is your vision for Oyo State? What can you deliver that the people can trust?” he asked.
He further argued that while political endorsements could provide candidates with visibility and organisational support, such endorsements could not substitute for a candidate’s personal record of service.
“No candidate should ask the people of Oyo State to vote for him simply because of the personality standing behind him,” Oluokun stated.
He maintained that every candidate should be prepared to explain to voters what he has done, what he stands for and what he intends to achieve if elected governor.
As political activities surrounding the 2027 election continue to gather momentum, the APC Peace Advocates publicity secretary urged candidates across political parties to place their individual achievements, ideas and programmes before the electorate.
He said the people of Oyo State deserve an election in which candidates are assessed on their personal capacity and demonstrated records rather than merely on the strength or popularity of their political allies.
Oluokun concluded with a direct message to all governorship candidates:
“Let every candidate campaign on what he has done. Let every candidate defend his own record. Let every candidate present his own vision. Let your record speak. Let your achievements speak. Let your vision speak.”
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