One of the leading governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, has pledged to sustain and expand the legacies of Governor Seyi Makinde if elected governor in the 2027 general election.
Adekanmbi, who was a former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State, made this known on Monday during a private courtesy visit to the Music House headquarters of Yinka Ayefele’s radio station in Ibadan.
Though political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections have continued to create uncertainty over the platform he may eventually contest under, Adekanmbi is widely believed to enjoy the support of key leaders within the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State as a consensus governorship candidate.
This visit formed part of his ongoing consultations ahead of the anticipated governorship race and brought together top management staff of Fresh FM Nigeria as well as political associates.
Speaking during the meeting, Adekanmbi described Ayefele as an elder brother with whom he has shared a longstanding relationship spanning over two decades.
He said the visit became necessary considering the role of Fresh FM in the socio economic development of Oyo State and the wider society.
The governorship hopeful commended Ayefele’s entrepreneurial contributions, noting that the media icon had expanded beyond Fresh FM to establish additional radio stations while creating employment opportunities for many Nigerians.
Adekanmbi stated that seeking Ayefele’s support and blessings would further motivate and inspire him in his political journey. assuring the management of Fresh FM that. he fully understood the enormous responsibility associated with governance and the expectations of the people.
He said, continuity in good governance remains important to preserving and consolidating on the achievements already recorded under the Makinde administration.
“This visit is entirely a private one to see my elder brother, Dr. Yinka Ayefele, and seek his blessings concerning my governorship aspiration ahead of 2027,” he said.
“Governor Seyi Makinde has recorded unprecedented achievements across different sectors in Oyo State. My ambition is to consolidate on those successes, build on them and sustain his legacies sector by sector.
“If Governor Makinde can sustain prompt payment of workers’ salaries, pensions and gratuities for almost seven years without interruption, then it becomes my responsibility to sustain it and even improve on it,” Adekanmbi added.
Responding, Ayefele urged the governorship aspirant to remain committed to the developmental strides already achieved by the Makinde administration across key sectors including infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, agribusiness and road development.
The veteran broadcaster noted that residents of Oyo State have become more conscious of performance driven leadership and would expect continuity rather than a reversal of developmental progress.
“To be unbiased, I will demand assurances from you that you will sustain the legacies of Governor Makinde,” Ayefele said.
“I will always tell you the truth anytime you drift away from the developmental agenda that has benefited the people. You must stand by every promise you are making.”
He further described governance as a huge responsibility that requires sincerity, courage and accountability, stressing that whoever succeeds Governor Makinde must justify the confidence reposed in him by the people.
Also speaking, the Group General Manager of Fresh FM Nigeria, Abolade Salami, assured that the organisation would continue to uphold professionalism by holding public office holders accountable while also recognising achievements recorded in office.
Salami maintained that the media remains a critical stakeholder in democratic governance and policy evaluation, adding that Fresh FM would continue to support initiatives capable of advancing the collective interest of the people of Oyo State.
Among dignitaries present during the visit were ace broadcasters Isaac Brown and Adebayo Faleke, alongside other top management officials of the media organisation.
