The Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, has pledged equal opportunities and representation for Muslims if elected governor in the 2027 election.
Adekanmbi made the commitment on Sunday while addressing members of the Nasrul-Lahi-Faith Society (NASFAT) at the organisation’s Oyo Zone 1 Joint Asalatu held in Samonda, Ibadan.
He said his administration would prioritise the welfare and security of all residents regardless of their religious affiliations, warning against attempts to exploit religious differences for political purposes.
Adekanmbi described Oyo State as a collective responsibility, arguing that governance should focus on delivering services and improving the lives of residents rather than determining who benefits based on religion.
“Oyo State is like an aircraft. What the people of the state want is whoever is going to pilot it should deliver the good to them,” he said.
“As a governor, when you pay workers’ salaries, they won’t say pay the salaries of Muslims or Christians alone and leave out that of traditionalists.”
Using an incident during one of his trips in which an aircraft encountered difficulties while landing, the APM candidate said the experience demonstrated the importance of unity in matters affecting the collective wellbeing of citizens.
According to him, passengers on the aircraft, irrespective of their religious backgrounds, were primarily concerned about their safety and prayed together when the incident occurred.
“When this happened, none of us in the plane thought of the religion of the pilot, whether he was a Muslim or Christian. All we were concerned about was our safety,” he said.
Adekanmbi also said security challenges should be confronted without religious discrimination, citing the abduction of residents in Oriire Local Government Area.
He noted that security personnel who responded to the incident focused on rescuing the victims rather than determining their religious affiliations.
Describing himself as a traditionally raised person with relationships across religious groups, Adekanmbi assured Muslims that their interests would receive protection under his administration.
“I am your son and I am standing before you today. My deputy is a devoted Muslim. I am a native person that is well trained, and I know what everyone deserves.
“I have said it before and I am repeating it that everything that is due to Muslims would be given to them,” he said.
Adekanmbi further acknowledged what he described as the recognition accorded to the Muslim community under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, promising to sustain and improve on it if elected.
“Under the present administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, the Islamic religion and Muslims are not in the background and they are given due recognition. This would continue and also be improved upon when I become governor of the state,” he added.
He urged religious leaders and residents to resist efforts by politicians to use elections to deepen religious divisions, stressing that political contests should not become a platform for religious intolerance.
APM deputy governorship candidate, Muftau Open-Salawu, similarly said elections should focus on improving the welfare and living conditions of residents rather than their religious affiliations.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Prof. Musbaudeen Babatunde, said NASFAT had supported Makinde since 2019 and appealed to its members to maintain the support ahead of the 2027 election.
Babatunde also assured Muslims in the state that Adekanmbi would protect their rights and privileges if elected governor.
