By Adeyinka Adeniran
The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, has pledged to sustain and expand the developmental strides of the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration while tasking senior citizens in the state to remain vigilant against those he described as vote hijackers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Monday during an interactive session with members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Council, at their Agbarigo secretariat in Ibadan, Adekanmbi stated that his governance vision is anchored on consolidating current progress to position the Pacesetter State for greater economic competitiveness and wealth creation.
The former finance commissioner noted that Governor Makinde’s first term was characterized by accelerated development, while the second term focused on sustainable growth, adding that his proposed administration would pursue what he described as continued development.
He stressed that the current progress in the state must not be allowed to drop, maintaining that previous accomplishments should serve as the foundation for higher achievements.
He said, “Now, my own is being built from continued development. That means there has been acceleration, there has been sustainability, and now you want to position the state for competitiveness, for wealth creation and for getting to the place where it should be in the committee of states.”
Emphasizing the need to keep the momentum going, Adekanmbi added, “If somebody has done so much over the course of his two terms, the bar must not be dropped. The graph must be up and never flatten out or come down. The graph must continue to grow.”
The APM flagbearer noted that his extensive operational experience in government has equipped him with a deep understanding of the state’s financial and administrative landscape.
“I have the firsthand information about the challenges of Oyo State. I know where the problems are, and I know the areas that require attention. I will work on the loopholes and ensure that we continue to move forward,” he assured.
Turning to the upcoming polls, Adekanmbi charged pensioners not to limit their civic duty to merely casting ballots, but to actively protect their votes throughout the counting, recording, and collation stages to prevent electoral manipulation.
Pointing to the active role played by organized labor and senior citizens during the Osun State governorship election, he urged Oyo pensioners to replicate the same resolve in 2027 by staying back at polling units to monitor the entire process.
“Don’t just go out to vote and return home. You must be vigilant and ensure that your votes count. Protect your votes against hijackers. What happens after casting your ballot is equally important. You must remain alert and follow the process to its logical conclusion,” he advised.
Adekanmbi further committed to instituting regular consultation sessions with retired civil servants if elected, ensuring their welfare concerns are addressed directly by his administration, while also pledging to strengthen local government administration for direct grassroots development.
