The 2027 governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, has pledged to sustain the prompt payment of salaries and pensions in the state if elected governor, while challenging opposition figures to account for their records in public office.
Adekanmbi made the remarks during a live interview on Fresh FM 105.9 FM, Ibadan, on Saturday, October 24, 2026, between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, with broadcaster Mayor Isaac Brown.
Speaking on his tenure as Commissioner for Finance under the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Adekanmbi said he assumed office in 2016 when the state had accumulated 14 months of salary arrears but left in 2019 without outstanding salary payments, according to his account.
“I became commissioner in 2016, when the state had 14 months of salary arrears. I cleared all outstanding arrears and left office in 2019 without leaving any unpaid salaries,” he said.
He further stated that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration paid salaries three days after he left office in 2019, adding that his experience working with the current administration had reinforced his commitment to maintaining regular salary payments.
“I have now been with GSM for seven years. He has taught me the formula of prompt salary payment, and it is a legacy we are going to continue,” Adekanmbi said.
He assured workers and pensioners in Oyo State that regular payment of salaries and pensions would remain a priority under his administration if elected, describing the commitment as more than a covenant.
“This is more than a covenant; it is a charter that will be documented,” he added.
Adekanmbi Questions Alli’s Position on Local Government Autonomy
The 2027 governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, has challenged Senator Sarafadeen Alli of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to explain his record as a former chairman of Ibadan North Local Government while advocating for local government autonomy.
Adekanmbi made the challenge during a live interview on Fresh FM 105.9 FM, Ibadan, on Saturday, October 24, 2026, with broadcaster Mayor Isaac Brown.
He questioned Alli’s advocacy for local government autonomy, alleging that his interest in the issue was largely driven by its potential to attract votes ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
“The major reason why my big Egbon, Oloye Sarafadeen Alli of the APC, has been championing it is that he knows it is a live wire for securing votes,” Adekanmbi said.
The APM candidate recalled Alli’s tenure as chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, alleging that the council experienced salary arrears and that some workers were arrested during the period.
Adekanmbi further claimed that he possessed reports detailing alleged financial mismanagement during Alli’s tenure and a directive requiring him to refund money to the state government. He alleged that the refund had not been completed.
“I have the report on the embezzlement and how he was told to refund money to the state; to this day, he still owes the state because he didn’t finish the payment,” he said.
“I challenge him to sue me. The 19 hectares money he was supposed to buy for the local government were ‘chopped’ by him. Do you know how much that land would be worth by now?” Adekanmbi said.
Adekanmbi questioned why Alli, whom he accused of owing the state government, would seek to become governor without first addressing the allegations surrounding his record in local government administration.
He also linked the introduction of the Joint Account Committee (JAC) framework followed by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to concerns over the management of local government funds and the welfare of council workers.
“I challenge him to come out and tell people how he plans to give autonomy to local government if he becomes a governor and ask him what he did as a local government chairman with full autonomy,” Adekanmbi stated.
He maintained that discussions on local government autonomy should include accountability, financial transparency and the protection of workers’ welfare, rather than being treated solely as a political campaign issue.
Accuses Critics of Governor Makinde of Hypocrisy Over Land Allegations
Adekanmbi also defended Governor Seyi Makinde against accusations of land grabbing, recounting an alleged personal experience involving an unnamed individual whom he said was a former local government chairman and among those criticising the governor over land matters.
According to Adekanmbi, he purchased a hilltop property from the individual while he was living in the United Kingdom as a young man. However, when he returned to Nigeria and requested to inspect the property, he was taken to a different location.
He said that after questioning the discrepancy between the location he had purchased and the property shown to him, the individual allegedly apologised and explained that the original land had been sold, promising to provide another property.
Adekanmbi argued that anyone with such a record should not be quick to accuse the governor of land grabbing.
“Such a person has no right to label GSM a land grabber,” he said.
Reaffirms Commitment to Workers’ Welfare and Accountability
The interview provided Adekanmbi with an opportunity to outline his position on workers’ welfare, public finance, local government administration and land-related controversies ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
His remarks centred on the need for regular salary payments, responsible management of public funds and greater accountability from political officeholders.
Adekanmbi maintained that his experience in public service and his association with the current administration had prepared him to sustain the state’s salary-payment record, while urging political opponents to subject their own records in office to public scrutiny.
