The Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) in Oyo State has accused the camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, of being unsettled by the growing political profile of its candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi.
The APM made the allegation in a press statement issued on Sunday by Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Co-Director (Media and Publicity) of the Oyo APM Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaign Council.
The statement followed Adekanmbi’s recent interview on Fresh FM, Ibadan, during which he reportedly addressed issues surrounding local government autonomy and governance in Oyo State.
According to the APM, the response from Alli’s camp, including a statement threatening legal action and a subsequent opinion article criticising Adekanmbi’s position on local government autonomy, indicated growing anxiety among his political opponents.
The campaign council challenged Alli’s camp to follow through on its threat of legal action, adding that the article titled “Electing Adekanmbi as Oyo Governor Will Spell Total Doom for Oyo LGs” relied on assumptions and exaggerated predictions rather than verifiable facts.
The APM also accused the article’s author of misrepresenting Adekanmbi’s position on local government autonomy by interpreting his assertion that state governments cannot grant autonomy as opposition to the principle itself.
“The constitutional reality is straightforward. Local government autonomy is not a favour dispensed by governors; it is a constitutional matter governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement said.
It argued that recognising the constitutional framework governing local government administration should not be construed as opposition to autonomy.
The campaign council further dismissed suggestions that Adekanmbi’s candidacy would undermine grassroots governance, insisting that local governments across Oyo State continued to function under elected leadership, with public services and development projects ongoing.
It cited investments in rural roads, primary healthcare, education, agriculture and security by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde as evidence of its commitment to grassroots development.
The APM also faulted what it described as an attempt to use the Supreme Court judgment on local government financial autonomy as a political weapon against the current administration.
According to the statement, implementing constitutional provisions and judicial decisions involves legal and institutional processes that cannot be reduced to partisan campaign arguments.
The campaign council also challenged the APC to identify states under its control where local government autonomy was fully operational, referencing a question Adekanmbi reportedly raised during his Fresh FM interview.
On the question of continuity in governance, the APM maintained that Adekanmbi’s pledge to build on Makinde’s achievements did not amount to an intention to duplicate existing policies without improvements.
“Continuity does not mean duplication. It means sustaining what works while improving what requires improvement,” the statement said.
The party argued that a responsible administration should preserve successful programmes while addressing areas requiring reforms, rather than dismantling existing initiatives merely to establish a new political identity.
It further maintained that the criticisms directed at Adekanmbi reflected concerns among his opponents over his growing appeal and message to the electorate.
The campaign council said the APM candidate remained focused on strengthening institutions, sustaining development and expanding opportunities for residents of Oyo State.
The statement was signed by Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Co-Director (Media and Publicity) of the Oyo APM Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaign Council, and dated October 25, 2026.
