The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Abimbola Adekanmbi, has rejected claims that he is a political surrogate for Governor Seyi Makinde ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Adekanmbi said he was contesting the election on his own political platform and would pursue an independent agenda if elected governor.

The former Oyo State Commissioner for Finance made the clarification while responding to questions surrounding his relationship with Makinde and the circumstances of his emergence as the APM candidate.

“I’m not a surrogate to Governor Makinde. I have my own manifesto and strategy,” Adekanmbi said, according to reports of the interview.

He stressed that his responsibility was ultimately to the people of Oyo State and that his political decisions would be guided by his own assessment of what the state requires.

Adekanmbi’s candidacy has attracted attention because of his previous political association with the Makinde administration.

He served as Oyo State Commissioner for Finance under Makinde before emerging as the APM candidate for the 2027 governorship election. His background has consequently fuelled speculation among political observers about whether his candidacy could be linked to the governor’s political calculations ahead of the election.

Adekanmbi, however, has dismissed that interpretation, insisting that he is not acting on behalf of the governor.

Reports of his comments indicate that he wants voters to judge him based on his own programme, rather than assumptions about his relationship with the incumbent administration.

Adekanmbi’s position comes as political activity intensifies in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APM candidate has sought to distinguish his campaign from existing political structures by emphasising his own manifesto and strategy.

His emergence has also generated interest because of his experience in the Makinde administration, particularly his previous role overseeing the state’s finances.

The 2027 contest is expected to feature competition among several political parties as candidates and political organisations begin positioning themselves for the governorship election.

Makinde, who is serving his second and final term as governor of Oyo State, is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term in 2027.

This has made the question of his preferred successor a major issue in Oyo State politics.

Adekanmbi’s insistence that he is not Makinde’s surrogate therefore comes against the backdrop of growing speculation about the political alignments that could shape the succession battle.

For now, Adekanmbi says his candidacy should be judged on his own political programme rather than his previous role in the incumbent administration.

As the 2027 election approaches, the ability of the APM candidate to convince voters that he represents an independent political alternative is likely to become an important part of his campaign.