APM Governorship Candidate Says Experience Under Former Governors Prepared Him for Oyo Leadership
The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, has said his relationships with former governors Rashidi Ladoja, the late Adebayo Alao-Akala and the late Abiola Ajimobi shaped his understanding of governance and political leadership.
Adekanmbi spoke on Arise TV’s live programme on Tuesday, saying his experiences with the former governors contributed significantly to his political development and understanding of Oyo State.
He said his interactions with Ladoja exposed him to the complexities of political leadership and the need to balance competing interests in running a state.
Adekanmbi also described his relationship with the late Alao-Akala as a major influence on his political career, saying it broadened his understanding of governance and political interest management.
Speaking about his direct working relationship with the late Ajimobi, Adekanmbi said serving as Deputy Chief of Staff before becoming Commissioner for Finance gave him deeper insight into the state’s economic realities and financial administration.
He said his role exposed him to the practical challenges of managing government resources, formulating policies and coordinating government activities.
Adekanmbi recalled that after Ajimobi’s re-election in 2015, he served as the “engine room” behind the scenes during the first year of the governor’s second term, coordinating ministries, departments and agencies before the State Executive Council was constituted.
He said the responsibility gave him extensive exposure to government operations and strengthened his understanding of public administration and institutional coordination.
The APM candidate, who is seeking to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde in 2027, said his combined experiences under the three former governors had shaped his political interests and understanding of Oyo State’s administrative and economic realities.
Adekanmbi said the years he spent working within government provided practical lessons that he believes would be relevant to managing the affairs of the state.