The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Hon Bimbo Adekanmbi, on Tuesday said he would be a surrogate to the 7.9 million people of the state.
Adekanmbi also expressed his readiness to continue the developmental efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde if elected governor of Oyo State in the next general election.
The APM candidate stated this while featuring on Arise TV’s program, “Good Morning Show.”
According to him, despite the endorsement he received from Makinde, his allegiance would remain with the people of the state, including the governor.
He said, “The people of Oyo State own Bimbo Adekanmbi, and I am people-centric. I am going to be a surrogate to the 7.9 million people of the state, as we will be elected to serve the interest of the entire state.”
Addressing the suggestion that his administration would amount to a third-term arrangement for Makinde, Adekanmbi dismissed the notion but said he would seek to become a “higher version” of the incumbent by building on his achievements during his eight years in office.
He said Makinde had built legacies for the state during his two terms as governor and recorded achievements across key sectors.
Adekanmbi said, “I won’t discard the achievements of Governor Seyi Makinde; I am going to carry on where he will stop on May 29, 2027.”
ALSO READ: Adekanmbi pledges stronger measures to prevent market fires in Oyo
On his emergence as the APM governorship candidate, the former commissioner for finance explained that he was not handpicked or imposed by the governor, saying his candidacy followed consultations and engagements with stakeholders.
He said, “The governor didn’t just sit down and draw the list of candidates of our party. I and other candidates of the APM emerged through consensus after consultations and engagements with the necessary stakeholders of the party.
“That is why after the exercise there has been no rancour among our members. Many people had thought that candidate selection would lead to implosion and explosion among us, but today nobody raises any eyebrows because everyone was carried along in the process
“After my emergence I have gone round the zones that we have in the state for thank you visits, and everywhere we went we were well received, that shows that the APM is one in the state.”
Adekanmbi also highlighted his experience as a professional and said he had built a career around solving problems and addressing issues in critical situations.
According to him, while serving as commissioner for finance under the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, he handled the Ibadan urban flood programme, which earned commendation from the World Bank.
He also said he ensured that the state board of internal revenue became independent and was able to function effectively during his tenure as commissioner.
WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV