Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, signaling a major political development that could reshape Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of the next general elections. The governor made the announcement on Thursday during a massive political rally held at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan, where leaders and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement gathered for what was described as a unity mega rally.
Makinde announced that he would pursue his presidential ambition on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement, declaring that the time had come to “reset Nigeria.” According to him, worsening economic hardship and growing dissatisfaction among citizens made it necessary for a new political direction to emerge in the country. The governor said many Nigerians had been pushed into survival mode due to the deteriorating state of the nation and the inability of leaders to address pressing national challenges. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The declaration also confirmed months of speculation surrounding Makinde’s political future and his growing influence within the opposition movement. Political observers had anticipated the move after reports emerged earlier in the week that the governor was preparing to formally unveil a broader coalition involving factions of the PDP and APM in Oyo State.
At the rally, Makinde insisted that opposition forces in Nigeria were stronger than many believed, stressing that the dissatisfaction of ordinary Nigerians had become the real opposition against the ruling establishment. He described the newly announced PDP-APM alliance as the beginning of a wider coalition strategy aimed at contesting positions across all levels in the 2027 elections, from state assemblies to the presidency.
The alliance agreement was reportedly signed by Makinde alongside APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle, while members of the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction in Oyo State also endorsed the arrangement. Under the deal, several PDP-backed candidates are expected to contest future elections using the APM platform amid ongoing internal disputes within the PDP at the national level.
The development has already generated intense political reactions across the country, with analysts describing it as one of the boldest moves yet in the buildup to the 2027 presidential race. The declaration places Makinde among the growing list of politicians expected to shape the next phase of Nigeria’s political contest as parties and coalitions begin strategic realignments ahead of the election season.
