Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, have endorsed Bimbo Adekanmbi as the preferred governorship aspirant for the 2027 election in the state.

The endorsement was made during a strategic meeting held at Adekanmbi’s residence in Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan, on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by the Speaker’s media aide, Oyetunji Oyekunle, the lawmakers adopted Adekanmbi as the governorship aspirant of the Allied Peoples Movement ahead of the 2027 general election.

The development comes days after Governor Seyi Makinde publicly identified Adekanmbi, a former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State, as his preferred successor during a meeting with stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Makinde was also reported to have met with other governorship aspirants to brief them on his decision and seek their support for Adekanmbi in the build-up to the election.

Wednesday’s endorsement came ahead of the planned “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026,” where a political alliance between the PDP and the APM is expected to be formally unveiled.

The statement noted that discussions at the meeting centred on strengthening party unity, consolidating political structures, and coordinating preparations for the 2027 governorship poll.

Addressing the gathering, Ogundoyin described Adekanmbi as a seasoned political figure with the experience and capacity to sustain good governance in the state.

He said the endorsement reflected the lawmakers’ confidence in Adekanmbi’s leadership qualities, political maturity, and understanding of governance.

“We believe Bimbo Adekanmbi possesses the experience, exposure, and political understanding required to move Oyo State forward. Our gathering here today reflects our confidence in his ability to unite stakeholders and provide inclusive leadership for the people of the state,” the Speaker said.

Ogundoyin added that the Assembly members remained committed to supporting initiatives and leaders capable of promoting political stability, strengthening democratic institutions, and sustaining developmental progress across the state.

He also stressed the importance of early consultations, grassroots mobilisation, and internal cohesion in determining electoral success.

In his remarks, Adekanmbi thanked the lawmakers and party stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him, describing the endorsement as a call to greater service.

He pledged to provide inclusive leadership and consolidate the achievements of the Makinde administration, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic development, and youth empowerment.

“I am deeply honoured by this show of confidence and solidarity from the lawmakers and party leaders. This endorsement represents our collective aspiration to build a more prosperous, united, and progressive Oyo State,” he said.

Adekanmbi further assured party members of continued consultations across the state to promote inclusiveness and unity within the political fold.

He also advocated issue-based politics and urged political actors to avoid actions capable of creating unnecessary tension within the state’s political environment.

Some lawmakers at the meeting described the endorsement as timely, noting that early alignment among stakeholders would help minimise internal disagreements and strengthen the APM ahead of the 2027 governorship election.