As the 2027 election approaches, the gubernatorial candidate of Allied Peoples Movement in Oyo State, Hon Bimbo Adekanmbi has revealed that if not for his educational pursuits, he would have ended up in life as a ‘meat-seller’!
The a-class chartered accountant also reaffirmed that he does not need ‘anybody’s validation’ adding that those expecting him to be somebody’s ‘stooge’ will be pleasantly surprised because ‘it will not happen’.
The youthful and debonair politician also revealed that he is also a victim of the rather controversial Ibadan Circular Road project.
Adekanmbi made these proclamations while addressing journalists and stakeholders at Thames Hotel, Jericho, Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State on Thursday.
Circular Road
Recall that the Oyo State Government commenced the demolition of several structures in Ibadan, the state capital, on March 14, 2024, as part of the ongoing Circular Road project.
The demolition, which began in the Fashade community along the Circular Road, affected several villages and communities in Iddo, Egbeda, Akinyele, Ona Ara, Lagelu and Oluyole Local Government Areas of the state, triggering protests by residents of the affected communities.
However, Adekanmbi said he had a parcel of land in Ona Ara that was also affected by the road construction, stressing that no sacrifice was too much for the development of the state.
“Circular Road is a good concept. I am also a victim. I have land in Ona Ara which has been affected.
“To build a society, you have to create access to the society to make it successful.
“When I become governor, I will continue the construction of the Circular Road and fix the areas where there are issues.
“We have to make sacrifices for the development of our state,” he said.
Adekanmbi, who reeled out his achievements as Deputy Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Finance, also said he was not Governor Seyi Makinde’s stooge.
“Governor Makinde does not want to be a godfather to anyone. He has so many other things he wishes to do with his life. He is one of the most intelligent and cerebral persons I have ever met. And how I got to become the gubernatorial candidate of APM is deep. Very deep.
“However, I am not Governor Makinde’s stooge. People should hold me accountable for my own decisions, and yes, I am not Fubara, I was born and bred well, ile ire ni won ti bi mi” he added.
The former commissioner said continuity was necessary to move Oyo State forward, adding that the administration of Makinde had raised the bar in the state.
“Governor Makinde has raised the bar in Oyo State, and we must not go back to Egypt.
“Like I have been saying, Governor Seyi Makinde built the bridge; Bimbo Adekanmbi will take us over the bridge,” the APM governorship candidate said.
Support For LG Autonomy
Adekanmbi also expressed support for local government autonomy, saying that although Nigeria has local government autonomy by law, it is not being fully practised.
“Autonomy is not the issue. There are so many factors that should be addressed. When the time comes, we will speak to autonomy the way I understand it because there are so many things we can put in place,” he said.
Adekanmbi promised to unveil his manifesto soon, saying it would contain specific and measurable targets for his first 100 days, six months and one year in office.
Packaged by Alice Egbedele with additional reports from newspeakonline.com
