The Youth Mobilisation Coordinator of the Makinde/Adekanmbi Campaign Council in Ibadan North-West Local Government, Hon. Akindipe Hammed Abiodun Akinsumbo, popularly known as Igba-Otun, has commended Governor Seyi Makinde, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, members of the campaign council and party faithful over the impressive turnout recorded at the party’s rally.
Reacting to attempts by some opposition supporters, particularly those associated with the All Progressives Congress (APC), to ridicule the rally over what initially appeared to be a slow turnout, Akindipe described the criticism as premature, politically motivated and ultimately misplaced.
He explained that the early pictures and video clips circulated to portray the gathering as poorly attended were taken during the initial stages of the event, when participants were still arriving at the venue. According to him, the situation was consistent with the usual pattern of political rallies, where supporters arrive gradually before the gathering reaches its peak.
Akindipe maintained that the subsequent increase in attendance exposed the weakness of the early criticism, arguing that those who rushed to mock the event had celebrated too soon without waiting to see how the gathering would eventually unfold.
He noted that judging a political rally by photographs or video clips captured during its opening moments does not provide an accurate representation of the eventual turnout. Rather, the full picture becomes clearer as more participants arrive and the programme progresses.
He further argued that the enthusiasm and mobilisation demonstrated by APM supporters reflected the growing political organisation and commitment surrounding the Makinde/Adekanmbi movement in Oyo State.
However, Akindipe cautioned against equating the size of a political rally with actual electoral victory, stressing that a large crowd does not automatically determine who votes or who eventually emerges victorious at the polls.
According to him, while public gatherings provide an opportunity for political mobilisation, voter participation, individual choices and the actual votes cast remain the decisive factors in an election.
He nevertheless insisted that the digital footprints of the rally, including the photographs and video recordings documenting the event as it progressed, remained available to challenge misleading impressions created by selectively circulated early footage.
His comments come amid increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections. Governor Makinde formally emerged as the APM presidential candidate in May 2026, while Adekanmbi was adopted as the party's consensus governorship candidate for Oyo State. Their political partnership has become a major feature of the emerging political landscape in the state.
Recent campaign developments have also demonstrated the party's efforts to strengthen its grassroots structures and expand mobilisation across Oyo State and beyond.
Akindipe consequently commended Makinde and Adekanmbi for their leadership and political commitment, while appreciating members of the campaign council, grassroots mobilisers and party faithful whose contributions helped drive participation at the rally.
He maintained that political engagement should be measured beyond social media arguments, propaganda and premature celebrations, insisting that organisation, consistency, grassroots connections and the confidence of supporters remain important elements of building a political movement.
He expressed confidence that attempts to discredit the APM through negative commentary would not discourage its supporters or diminish their commitment to the party's political agenda.
“Never judge a rally by its beginning. Wait until the people have arrived,” he declared.
Reaffirming his commitment to the APM's Nigeria First agenda and the Makinde/Daura vision of resetting Nigeria, Akindipe urged party members, supporters and youths to remain united, focused and steadfast.
He called on supporters to channel their energy towards grassroots mobilisation, political awareness and constructive engagement with voters rather than being distracted by online mockery and opposition narratives.
For Akindipe, the message is simple: those who celebrated what they perceived as a disappointing beginning should have waited for the event to unfold before passing judgment.
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