Bimbo Adekanmbi Turns Up the Heat: Is Oyo About to Witness a New Political Battle?
The 2027 Oyo State governorship race appears to be entering a more intense phase, and Saturday’s 120-minute interview featuring the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, on Fresh FM 105.9 Ibadan has certainly added another layer to the unfolding political contest.
Did you listen to the full interview?
More importantly, did Adekanmbi convince you that he is the right man to lead Oyo State — or did some of his revelations leave you with even more questions?
Adekanmbi, a former Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning in Oyo State and a former member of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration, is already an established figure in the 2027 contest. The APM adopted him as its consensus governorship candidate in May 2026, with Governor Seyi Makinde publicly describing him as his preferred successor and urging him to chart his own path rather than inherit his political enemies.
Adekanmbi and BSA: Respect Meets Political Combat
One thing I observed during the Fresh FM interview was Adekanmbi’s consistent respect for Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, popularly known as BSA, from the beginning of the programme.
It was only after Mayor Isaac Brown pressed him to identify the individual behind some of his allegations that Adekanmbi eventually mentioned BSA’s name.
Although many listeners may already have understood who he was referring to, Adekanmbi appeared deliberate in avoiding the name initially.
Perhaps he realised that politics has its own rules: sometimes, you cannot continue to protect the dignity of your opponent at the expense of making your political point.
Adekanmbi knows BSA as an elder and father figure, while BSA also occupies an important position within the traditional and political structure of Ibadanland. That relationship arguably explains the level of respect Adekanmbi has continued to demonstrate despite the fact that both men are now political opponents competing for the same governorship position.
Before this interview, we had seen pictures and videos of Adekanmbi publicly bowing his head in respect while greeting BSA at different events.
Even as political rivals, he could have chosen to avoid such encounters, particularly when cameras were present. Yet, he repeatedly demonstrated respect.
But Saturday’s interview showed that respect does not necessarily mean political surrender.
The Gloves May Be Coming Off
A few weeks ago, Adekanmbi held a private meeting with selected radio station General Managers. I remember him telling us that we would hear much more when the proper campaign season began in accordance with INEC regulations.
Well, the campaign season is here — and we are beginning to see another side of Bimbo Adekanmbi.
There are already shades of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi in him: bold, fearless and outspoken, with a willingness to take the political battle directly to his opponents.
May the soul of Governor Abiola Ajimobi continue to rest in peace. 🙏
Adekanmbi may look calm, composed and like a well-trained gentleman, but beneath that respectful exterior appears to be a politician who understands the roforofo side of political warfare.
And Saturday’s interview may only have been the beginning.
Adekanmbi has already begun putting forward positions on issues ranging from public finance and infrastructure to local government administration and workers’ welfare. During the Fresh FM engagement, he reportedly pledged to address outstanding compensation claims connected to the Ibadan Circular Road within his first 100 days if elected, while also promising to maintain the 25th of every month as salary-payment day for civil servants.
On the other side is BSA, the APC governorship candidate, a former Ibadan North Local Government chairman, former Secretary to the Oyo State Government and incumbent Senator representing Oyo South. His campaign has also highlighted issues including local government autonomy, education, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, security and workers’ welfare.
That means the political contest is gradually moving beyond party slogans into a battle of records, claims, counterclaims, policies and personalities.
Is Oyo Ready for the Real Battle?
BSA is next.
The APC candidate is expected to face the microphone and the same level of public scrutiny in his own exclusive live interview.
And when that happens, the questions will be obvious:
Will BSA respond directly to Adekanmbi’s allegations?
Will the APC media team go into overdrive?
Will we see 1,001 press releases in the next few days? 😂
One thing is certain: everywhere is hot. 🔥🔥
Adekanmbi may have been holding back until now. But as the campaign intensifies and candidates move across the zones to engage voters directly, Oyo State may witness a considerably more combative political season.
This Bimbo Adekanmbi is giving us the vibes of Late Abiola Ajimobi + Governor Seyi Makinde. 🤣🤣🤣
That man is a proper Ibadan man! 😂
The big question now is not whether the political battle has started.
It is how far the contenders are prepared to take it — and whether the people of Oyo State will ultimately judge them by the noise of the campaign or by the substance of their records and promises.
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