Lekan Yusuf, Ibadan
Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi’s governorship ambition received a significant boost on Friday as hundreds of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Accord Party and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) defected to the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in Oyo State.
The high-profile defection ceremony was held at Adekanmbi’s campaign office in Jericho, Ibadan.
It drew political stakeholders, grassroots leaders, local government party executives, support groups and supporters from across the state, all pledging their allegiance to the APM ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Among the prominent groups that joined the party was the Olumba Socio Political Forum (OSPF), led by its Convener, Akinola Olumide, popularly known as Olumba.
Members of the forum from Ido, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan North-West and Akinyele Local Government Areas formally announced their exit from their former political parties to embrace the APM.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Olumba, a former APC member and one-time member of the Remi Oseni Council of Friends (ROCOF), said their decision was driven by a desire to align with a leader capable of sustaining the developmental achievements recorded in Oyo State.
He described the APC as “a golden casket that looks beautiful from the outside but has a very bad structure,” alleging that the party lacks unity and genuine internal cohesion.
Olumba said Adekanmbi’s humility, competence and leadership credentials inspired their decision to join the APM.
“When you are talking about humility, this man is humble. Talking about capability, we all know he is capable. From his records and profile, we know he has what it takes to govern Oyo State,” he said.
He maintained that the growing popularity of the APM across the state convinced him and his supporters that the party offers a credible platform for continuity and development.
“There is no vacancy in Oyo State in 2027. We believe there will be continuity, and we want to contribute our quota to the development of the state through the APM,” he added.
Olumba also applauded Governor Seyi Makinde for his achievements in infrastructure development, agriculture, workers’ welfare and prompt payment of salaries, expressing confidence that Adekanmbi would consolidate on those gains.
Adekanmbi Receives Defectors
Receiving the new members, Adekanmbi thanked them for the confidence reposed in him and assured them of equal opportunities within the party.
He pledged that, if elected governor in 2027, his administration would build on the developmental foundation laid by Governor Makinde under the Omituntun agenda.
According to him, the growing wave of defections into the APM reflects the people’s desire for continuity and purposeful leadership rather than a return to old political practices.
Adekanmbi also accused opposition parties of relying on vote buying instead of presenting viable alternatives to the electorate, insisting that the support his movement enjoys is based on conviction rather than financial inducement.
“I appreciate you for standing with us out of genuine love and conviction, not because of money. This movement is people-driven, and together we will continue the good work that has transformed Oyo State,”_ he said.
The governorship hopeful urged the defectors to immediately register as APM members and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general election.
The defection exercise followed a Jumat prayer hosted earlier by Adekanmbi at his campaign office, attended by hundreds of Muslim faithful.
The event also attracted party stalwarts, local government chairmen, grassroots political leaders and members of various support groups from across Oyo State, highlighting what many observers described as the growing momentum behind Adekanmbi’s governorship aspiration.
