Oyo 2027: Outrage as Analysts Slam Adekanmbi’s ‘Childish’ Outreach to Media Mogul

By Seyifunmi Odunuga 

​IBADAN – A storm of criticism has greeted the recent visit of Bimbo Adekanmbi, the anointed candidate of Governor Seyi Makinde, to the Radio House of media tycoon Dr. Yinka Ayefele. The move, intended to galvanize support for Adekanmbi’s 2027 gubernatorial bid under the Alliance Peoples Movement (APM), has instead been described by political watchers as an embarrassing display of "political naivety."

​In a sharp rebuke that has resonated across the state capital, prominent political analyst Mr. Tayo Oladele slammed the visit as "childish" and a strategic failure. Oladele argued that Adekanmbi, by virtue of the gubernatorial ticket handed to him by the incumbent governor, should be projecting an image of executive readiness rather than engaging in what appears to be a subservient search for individual validation.

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Bimbo is acting childish regarding this visit," Oladele remarked. "He does not seem to grasp the immense power and political machinery bestowed upon him by Engineer Seyi Makinde. To go cap-in-hand to a single individual at this stage suggests a candidate who is unsure of his own weight."

​Adding to the chorus of disapproval, noted writer and opinion leader Femi Thomas characterized the candidate as a "baby in politics." Thomas expressed concern over the candidate's lack of a broad-based media strategy, noting that Oyo State is home to over 50 media organizations. He argued that singling out one media mogul for such a high-profile visit is not only exclusionary but professionally shortsighted.

​"Adekanmbi should be calling for the collective support of all media owners in the state, not narrowing his focus to just one," Thomas stated. "By ignoring the dozens of other influential platforms, he is effectively alienating the very people he needs to reach the grassroots."

​As the 2027 race heats up, the backlash suggests that Adekanmbi’s attempt to secure a high-profile endorsement may have backfired, leaving voters and stakeholders questioning whether the APM candidate possesses the political maturity required to govern the Pacesetter State.