The Oyo State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has declared its support for the governorship ambition of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate, Abimbola Adekanmbi, ahead of the 2027 Oyo State governorship election.
The declaration was made during an engagement with members and stakeholders of the Igbo community in the state, where speakers also called for unity, peaceful coexistence and greater participation of residents in the political process.
Adekanmbi emerged as the APM’s consensus governorship candidate in May 2026 and has since continued engagements with communities and stakeholder groups across the state. His campaign has highlighted inclusive governance and continuity as key themes.
The event, which attracted Igbo community leaders, stakeholders and other political actors, also provided an opportunity to discuss the contribution of Ndigbo to the social and economic development of Oyo State.
Speaking at the gathering, the Executive Chairman of Ibadan North-East Local Government, Hon. Ibrahim Akinsola Akintayo, called for continued support for the APM’s political direction and its candidates.
Akintayo urged community members to support Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential aspiration, as well as the governorship candidacy of Adekanmbi and other APM candidates.
He said the political process should be approached with unity and a commitment to the continued development of the state.
The council chairman also stressed the need for different ethnic and community groups in Oyo State to continue working together, saying peaceful coexistence remained important to the progress of the state.
In his remarks, Adekanmbi assured the gathering that an administration under his leadership would promote inclusion and give residents from different backgrounds a sense of belonging.
He said, “My commitment is to an inclusive government where every resident and every community will have a sense of belonging.”
The APM candidate also emphasised the importance of unity and cooperation among residents, noting that the development of Oyo State required the participation of people from different backgrounds.
According to him, “Unity, cooperation and equal participation are important in building a prosperous Oyo State.”
Adekanmbi’s position on inclusive governance is consistent with statements made during his recent statewide engagements, where he has spoken about building on existing development initiatives while ensuring that communities are carried along.
The gathering also highlighted the longstanding relationship between the Igbo community and the people of Oyo State, with speakers stressing the need to preserve peaceful relations and encourage the participation of non-indigenous residents in the state’s development.
Members of the community were urged to remain peaceful and participate actively in the 2027 electoral process, while exercising their rights according to their convictions and interests.
The engagement comes as political parties and candidates intensify consultations with ethnic, professional, religious and community groups across Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Adekanmbi, a former Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, has in recent months continued consultations with various groups across the state as part of his campaign activities.