A Right Of Reply To “2027: Bimbo Adekanmbi — Truth Or Dare ? ||▪︎ By Dr Peter Akande 

18th of September,2026

By Dr Peter Akande

I have read with interest the article titled “2027: Mr Bimbo Adekanmbi — Truth or Dare?” The writer has raised several questions for Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, and he deserves the opportunity to answer them. However, if we are genuinely interested in truth, the same standard must apply to everybody.

 

 

 

 

 

The article repeatedly asks whether Adekanmbi has a mind of his own because of his association with Governor Seyi Makinde.

Fair enough. But political association, endorsement or consultation does not automatically make anybody a puppet. The real test should be the candidate’s programme, principles and actions.

The same question should therefore be directed at Senator Sharafadeen Alli.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senator Alli did not become the APC governorship candidate overnight. His emergence followed a controversial process within the party, with six of the eleven APC governorship aspirants publicly rejecting his emergence and questioning the process. If we are playing Truth or Dare, then let us ask: what exactly happened?

 

There have also been political claims about the roles allegedly played by influential individuals, including Zacch Adedeji, Dotun Sanusi and some prominent traditional personalities in the political realignment that preceded Alli’s tumultuous emergence. I will not call anybody a “dealer” without evidence. But if their involvement was legitimate political consultation, let the people involved explain it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If political association is enough to make Adekanmbi a “puppet,” should we not apply the same yardstick to every candidate and every political coalition?

 

The writer makes local-government autonomy one of the major tests for Adekanmbi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, local-government autonomy is important.

But why has the debate suddenly become a weapon against one man?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Supreme Court delivered its landmark judgment on local-government financial autonomy in 2024. Yet implementation has remained a complicated national issue, with disputes continuing across different states and political parties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, why single out Oyo State and Governor Makinde as though this issue exists only here? If the APC believes strongly in local-government autonomy, let its governors demonstrate clearly how the judgment is being implemented in APC-controlled states. Let every governor, irrespective of political party, be subjected to the same standard.

 

The issue should not be about making political noise. It should be about whether local governments actually receive and transparently control their funds and whether elected councils can function effectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The article also presents the ₦25,000 monthly wage award for workers and ₦15,000 for pensioners as though it is a new six-month measure introduced in September 2026 for the purpose of influencing the 2027 election.

 

That needs clarification.

Those exact figures were announced by Governor Makinde in November 2023, when the state approved the payments for six months as part of measures to cushion the effect of fuel-subsidy removal.

 

 

 

 

Therefore, before turning the figures into an alleged 2027 electoral strategy, the writer should establish that the same arrangement has actually been newly approved in 2026.

 

Nobody should oppose anything that legitimately puts money into the pockets of workers and pensioners. The proper question is whether such assistance is sustainable and accompanied by broader improvements in wages, pensions and workers’ welfare.

 

 

 

 

 

If another candidate has a better and sustainable proposal, let him present it.

 

When I was young, my father used to say whenever there was a quarrel or fight: “Ẹni a ńa lárá ń tà.” The lesson is that whenever there is a dispute, we should also consider the circumstances and the other side of the story.

The writer should understand that Governor Seyi Makinde cannot solve every problem in Oyo State overnight. Governance is a continuous process, and every administration inherits problems from its predecessor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One issue conspicuously missing from the article is the fate of workers who were disengaged under the previous administration. The Makinde administration has, at different times, reinstated workers affected by previous decisions. In 2020, for example, 41 LAUTECH workers dismissed under the previous administration were reinstated, with outstanding salaries approved. In 2024, the state government also approved the reinstatement of 47 civil servants who were found to have been wrongfully dismissed during the previous administration and pardoned 124 workers dismissed in 2012.

 

Why was this important part of the story omitted?

If we are going to assess the present administration, let us assess the whole picture—the achievements, shortcomings, inherited problems and unresolved issues.

 

Nobody is saying Governor Makinde has solved every problem in Oyo State. He has not, and no governor can reasonably do so overnight. But it is equally unfair to discuss the challenges confronting the state as though the government inherited a blank sheet of paper.

 

The article raises questions about farm settlements, workers’ welfare, court judgments, executive memos and alleged political influence. These are legitimate subjects for public debate, but allegations should not automatically become facts.

 

If there are documents, publish them.

 

If there are court judgments, publish the judgments.

 

If there are agreements concerning farm settlements, let the public see them.

 

If there are allegations of financial impropriety, let the appropriate agencies investigate them.

 

That is how serious political debate should be conducted.

 

And if Adekanmbi must explain what he will do differently from Governor Makinde, then Senator Alli must equally explain what he will do differently from the political structures and administrations with which he has been associated.

 

Nobody should be judged guilty merely because of an association, and nobody should be declared innocent merely because he belongs to our political camp.

 

The people of Oyo State deserve facts, policies, records and workable alternatives.

 

So, yes, let Bimbo Adekanmbi answer the questions.

 

 

 

 

But let Senator Sharafadeen Alli answer his own questions too.

Let those who helped build the political coalitions behind the various candidates explain their roles.

 

Let every candidate publish his blueprint.

 

Let us stop treating social media as a court of law.

 

 

 

 

 

Truth or Dare should not be a game played against only one candidate. If it is about truth, everybody must answer.

 

Oyo State belongs to all of us—not to any candidate, godfather, political camp or individual.