The 2027 governorship ambition of Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi received a significant boost on Friday as hundreds of members from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Accord Party, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) officially defected to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State.
The defection ceremony, held at Adekanmbi’s campaign office in Jericho, Ibadan, drew grassroots leaders, local government party executives, and political stakeholders from across the state who declared their support for his upcoming gubernatorial run.
A major highlight of the event was the defection of the Olumba Socio Political Forum (OSPF), led by its convener, Akinola Olumide (popularly known as Olumba). Members of the forum spanning Ido, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan North-West, and Akinyele Local Government Areas officially abandoned their former parties to align with the APM.
Olumba, a former member of the APC and the Remi Oseni Council of Friends (ROCOF), stated that the decision to defect was driven by a desire to align with a competent leader. He criticized his former party, describing the APC as “a golden casket that looks beautiful from the outside but has a very bad structure,” pointing to a lack of internal cohesion.
He praised Adekanmbi’s humility and administrative capability, stating that the aspirant possesses the required profile to govern the state. Olumba also lauded incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde for his infrastructure and welfare achievements, adding, “There is no vacancy in Oyo State in 2027. We believe there will be continuity, and we want Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi to consolidate on those achievements.”
Welcoming the defectors, Adekanmbi expressed gratitude for their confidence and assured them of equal opportunities within the party. He promised that an APM administration in 2027 would sustain and build upon the developmental foundations laid by Governor Makinde’s Omituntun agenda.
Adekanmbi further criticized opposition parties, alleging that they rely on vote-buying rather than offering credible alternatives. He emphasized that the growing momentum of his movement is driven by genuine public conviction rather than financial inducement.
The governorship hopeful urged the new members to immediately formalize their APM registration and secure their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 polls. The event concluded following a Jumat prayer hosted at the campaign office, with several party stalwarts and support groups in attendance.
