The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Abimbola Adekanmbi, has rejected claims that he is a political surrogate of Governor Seyi Makinde ahead of the 2027 election.

Adekanmbi, a former Commissioner for Finance, made the clarification during an interview on Arise News on Tuesday.

He said he had developed his own manifesto and governing strategy and would take full responsibility for his decisions and actions if elected governor.

The APM candidate said he was prepared to pursue his own political direction rather than take on the perceived enemies or liabilities of the incumbent governor.

“I’m no surrogate to Governor Makinde. The governor made it clear that I shouldn’t inherit his enemies or liabilities,” Adekanmbi said.

He added, “I’m owning every action I take as governor, just as I have always owned my actions in life. I own it, and I’m prepared. I have my own manifesto and strategy.”

Adekanmbi also said the emergence of candidates for various elective positions in the state was not solely determined by Governor Makinde.

He explained that the process involved consultations and engagements with stakeholders from different sectors and regions of Oyo State.

“The governor did not sit in his office and simply drop a list. There was a process that led to the emergence of all the candidates,” he said.

According to him, the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates emerged through consultations and consensus involving stakeholders across the state.