The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State has accused the camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, of misrepresenting the position of its candidate, Honourable Bimbo Adekanmbi, on local government autonomy.
The party said the reactions to Adekanmbi’s recent interview on Fresh FM, Ibadan, reflected what it described as growing anxiety among his political opponents over his views and campaign message.
In a statement signed by Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Co-Director of Media and Publicity of the Oyo APM Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaign Council, the party faulted a statement issued by Alli’s campaign organisation threatening legal action and an article titled, “Electing Adekanmbi as Oyo Governor Will Spell Total Doom for Oyo LGs.”
The APM described the article as “a classic example of political fearmongering disguised as analysis,” arguing that it relied on assumptions and exaggerated predictions rather than verifiable facts.
“The piece is built entirely on assumptions, exaggerated predictions, and imagined scenarios rather than verifiable facts,” the statement said.
The party maintained that Adekanmbi’s position on local government autonomy had been distorted, insisting that his argument that a state government could not grant autonomy did not mean he opposed the principle.
“At the heart of the article is a deliberate misrepresentation of Bimbo Adekanmbi’s position. The writer seizes on his statement that no state government can grant local government autonomy and twists it into evidence that he opposes local government autonomy altogether. Nothing could be further from the truth,” the statement added.
According to the APM, local government autonomy is a constitutional issue and not a privilege that governors can independently confer on councils.
“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 party said.
It added, “No governor can wake up and ‘grant’ autonomy any more than he can unilaterally amend the Constitution.”
The party argued that recognising the constitutional framework governing local government administration should not be interpreted as opposition to autonomy.
It also dismissed suggestions that Adekanmbi’s emergence as governor would lead to the collapse of grassroots governance in the state, describing such predictions as alarmist.
The APM further questioned the basis for claims that local governments had been destroyed in Oyo State, arguing that activities and projects at the grassroots level contradicted the allegations.
“If local governments have truly been destroyed, as the writer dramatically claims, why are councils still initiating and commissioning projects?” the statement asked.
The party also challenged the APC candidate to explain the state of local government autonomy in APC-controlled states.
“As Honourable Bimbo Adekanmbi asked during his interview: in which APC-controlled state does local government autonomy currently exist?” the statement said.
On the Supreme Court judgment concerning local government financial autonomy, the APM argued that its implementation involved legal and institutional processes that could not be reduced to campaign rhetoric.
“The implementation of constitutional and judicial decisions is not subject to the whims and caprices of governors. Rather, it is a legal and institutional process involving multiple stakeholders,” the party stated.
The party also defended the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, saying its investments in rural roads, primary healthcare, education, agriculture and security had contributed to development across communities in Oyo State.
“These are not abstract promises; they are visible interventions that residents can see and experience,” the statement said.
The APM said Adekanmbi’s pledge to build on Makinde’s achievements should not be interpreted as a commitment to reproduce every policy or practice of the incumbent administration.
“Continuity does not mean duplication. It means sustaining what works while improving what requires improvement,” the statement added.
It maintained that any future administration would need to consolidate existing achievements while addressing areas requiring improvement.
The party said Adekanmbi remained focused on his plans for the state despite the criticisms from political opponents.
“While political opponents remain preoccupied with manufacturing fears about tomorrow, Bimbo Adekanmbi remains focused on a simple mission: building on progress, strengthening institutions, and expanding opportunities for the people of Oyo State,” the statement said.
