By, Olawale Ogunbusola, Ibadan

One of the growing political parties in Oyo State and Nigeria is the Allied People’s Movement. The party came into existence through a formal alliance involving 80 percent of People’s Democratic Party members in April, and has since enjoyed wide acceptance, respect, and momentum.

Could it be said that the good administration of Seyi Makinde has helped build such a mysterious, snowballing prestige? What an incredible scorecard!

Ahead of the 2027 General Elections, the party adopted an APC-built politician, Bimbo Adekanmbi, as its gubernatorial candidate. Bimbo Adekanmbi, a 51-year-old technocratic politician, was generally accepted for the party’s flagbearership without public grudge for the first time by party members. Obviously, the silence must have been as a result of his stainless reputation over the last 25 years.

Abimbola Adekanmbi is an introverted personality with inner energies that propel him to tackle life-threatening challenges. He is a student of Late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, current Oba Adewolu Ladoja, Late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, and the current governor of Oyo State and Allied People’s Movement, Seyi Makinde.

Adekanmbi has greatly succeeded in policy formation and implementation in Oyo State, including automation of salary payment, initiation of the independence of the Board of Internal Revenue, formalization of the Community and Social Development Agency, Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project, Youth Empowerment and Social Support Operation (YESS-O), and others.

The cool-headed administrator remains a reference point in Birmingham City and Middlesbrough City Councils in the United Kingdom. He built the nation’s existing financial systems. He is the pioneer chairman of Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport Upgrade, a project which has also positioned the state on the global economic landscape.

A holder of four competitive academic degrees — Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Bachelor of Science in Applied Accounting, Master in Business Administration, Financial Collection, Strategy and Contract Accounting (FCCA), and certified SAP Expert — he is a lens in the socio-economic sector.

With valid documentation, he served as sole administrator in a council at cabinet dissolution during the Late Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration in 2015. A respected chartered accountant, he has also served as chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue, deputy chief of staff, and former commissioner for Finance. His financial and fiscal framework remains a tool in the good leadership of the outgoing government of Seyi Makinde.

He is an advocate of competence, character, capacity, and innovation in public administration. A young, vibrant, globally exposed administrator, he is humble, stinkingly wealthy, but chooses simplicity. He is accessible and religious. He cherishes craft, unity, harmony, uniqueness, frankness, and inclusivity.

He is a grassroots politician, hailed by a dry yam seller from Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State. He is a core motivational speaker and listener.

From his continued advocacy, Oyo State needs reformation in local government administration and autonomy. Coming up as a match successor to Governor Seyi Makinde, he can build competitive, sustainable governance through his building skills and mechanisms.

Here is a ‘Birikila’ — Bimbo Adekanmbi — who the people of Oyo State must vote for in the next four (4) years. More revelations to come. The capable Birikila is here for the job, should we desire better, all-inclusive governance beyond 2027 in Oyo State.

 

Ebenezer Ayinla is a core grassroots and public administration analyst, waseyori2@gmail.com