The Allied People’s Movement (APM) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, has told his All Progressives Congress (APC) rival, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, to begin preparing his concession speech ahead of the February 6, 2027 governorship election, insisting that defeat is inevitable.
Adekanmbi spoke after the APM campaign flag-off at Durbar Stadium, Oyo, on Saturday. “I look forward to Senator Alli’s congratulatory message because he cannot escape defeat,” he said.
The statement was issued on Sunday by Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Co-Director, Media and Publicity of the Oyo State APM Campaign Council (OYSACC).
Why OYSACC Says Alli Should Prepare a Concession Speech
OYSACC dismissed a statement by the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) on the flag-off, calling it a pathetic exercise in political self-deception. According to the council, no amount of propaganda can diminish the success of Saturday’s rally.
It described SSACO’s claim of poor attendance as “the biggest political joke of the year.” It questioned how a gathering of tens of thousands of supporters, party faithful, community leaders, youths, women and residents from across Oyo State could be called poorly attended.
The truth is simple: SSACO saw the crowd, Oyo people saw the crowd, the media saw the crowd, and the entire state saw the crowd. The only people claiming otherwise are those whose political calculations were shattered by the massive show of support for Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi.”
“Crowd-Induced Trauma” and the Panic Behind the Concession Speech Talk
The council said SSACO’s reaction was a public display of panic triggered by Adekanmbi’s growing popularity and the APM’s increasing acceptance across the state.
“If the rally was truly a failure, as SSACO claims, why are they so rattled? Why devote an entire statement to an event they insist was insignificant? Their reaction betrays fear, insecurity and the painful realization that the political landscape favours the APM, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde and Hon Adekanmbi.
OYSACC said that while SSACO was busy manufacturing imaginary failures and editing pictures and visuals, Oyo people were showing confidence in a candidate whose message of continuity, development and inclusive governance continues to resonate. It added that Alli’s camp was suffering from “crowd-induced trauma,” having expected a lacklustre outing.
“Crowds remain one of the clearest indicators of public mood. What happened in Oyo on Saturday was a loud and unmistakable statement that the people are ready to rally behind Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi,” the council said.
Issues, Not Propaganda: What Oyo Voters Should Hear
The council said it was ironic that SSACO accused others of lacking grassroots support while failing to address issues, programmes, policies and solutions that directly affect the people.
A serious campaign organisation would be discussing jobs, infrastructure, security, agriculture and economic growth. Unfortunately, SSACO appears more interested in counting chairs, editing photographs in its imagination and inventing narratives that collapse under the weight of evidence.”
OYSACC said the turnout reflected the goodwill generated by Governor Makinde’s developmental strides and the widespread belief that Adekanmbi has the competence, experience and vision to move Oyo State forward.
“The bitterness coming from SSACO is understandable. Saturday’s rally destroyed the false narrative that the APM lacks support. What they witnessed was not merely a campaign flag-off; it was the emergence of a movement gathering momentum across the length and breadth of Oyo State.”
The Road to the Oyo Governorship Election 2027
OYSACC reiterated its commitment to an issue-based campaign and urged political actors to focus on policies and programmes rather than denial, propaganda and wishful thinking.
“The road to 2027 has begun. While others are struggling to explain away an obvious success, we remain focused on engaging the people, presenting our vision and building the broad coalition that will deliver victory. No amount of anger, distortion or political blackmail can stop an idea whose time has come,” OYSACC said.
The council added that it remains confident the enthusiasm at the Oyo rally signals growing support for Adekanmbi’s candidacy ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
