The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanbi, has said his close relationships with former governors Rashidi Ladoja, the late Adebayo Alao-Akala, the late Abiola Ajimobi, and currently with Seyi Makinde shaped his understanding of governance, political interest management and the economic realities of the state.
Adekanbi, who spoke on Arise TV’s live programme on Tuesday, said his experiences with the three former governors had contributed significantly to his political development and prepared him for the responsibilities of the governorship office.
The former commissioner for finance in Oyo State said his relationship with Ladoja, who is now the Olubadan of Ibadan, deepened his knowledge of governance and the management of diverse political interests.
According to him, his interactions with the former governor provided valuable insights into the complexities of political leadership and the need to balance competing interests in the administration of a state.
Adekanbi also described his relationship with the late former governor Alao-Akala as another important influence on his political career, saying it broadened his understanding of the intricate workings of governance and the dynamics of diverse political interests.
He said his experiences with both former governors had helped shape his outlook on leadership and the responsibilities associated with managing the affairs of a state.
Speaking about his direct working relationship with the late Ajimobi, Adekanbi said serving as the former governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff before his appointment as Commissioner for Finance gave him a deeper understanding of Oyo State’s economic realities and the dynamics of its financial administration.
He explained that his role in the Ajimobi administration exposed him to the practical challenges of managing the state’s resources, formulating policies and coordinating government activities.
Adekanbi said his experience under Ajimobi became particularly significant in 2015, shortly after the former governor’s re-election for a second term.
According to him, he worked as the engine room behind the scenes during the first year of Ajimobi’s second term, effectively coordinating the activities of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and helping to run the government structure before the State Executive Council was constituted.
He said the responsibility gave him extensive exposure to the workings of government and strengthened his preparedness for the demands of the governorship office.
Adekanbi explained that the experience enabled him to understand the processes involved in coordinating government operations, managing public institutions and responding to the competing demands of different sectors of the state.
He said the combination of his experiences under Ladoja, Alao-Akala and Ajimobi had shaped his political interest, knowledge of governance and understanding of Oyo State’s administrative and economic realities.
The APM candidate maintained that these experiences, alongside his service in government, had prepared him for the leadership responsibilities ahead.
Adekanbi, who is seeking to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde in 2027, described himself as the most suitable successor to the incumbent governor, citing his knowledge of governance, experience in public administration and understanding of the state’s economic dynamics.
He said his years of exposure to the workings of government had positioned him to appreciate the responsibilities of the governorship office and the demands of leading Oyo State.
Adekanbi’s political ambition comes ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, where the contest is expected to feature candidates from various political parties seeking to succeed Makinde, whose tenure will end in May 29, 2027.
The APM candidate’s comments also placed emphasis on the importance of experience, institutional knowledge and political understanding in the management of the state’s affairs.
He said his relationships with the former governors had not only influenced his political journey but had also provided him with practical lessons that would be useful in the discharge of the responsibilities of the governorship office.