The 2027 presidential race has taken a new turn as Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Seyi Makinde, announced former Director General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Musa Daura, as his running mate.
Makinde made the announcement at the national convention of the Allied Peoples Movement held in Bauchi, where he also renewed his call for opposition politicians and political groups to work together ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Daura replaces Ibrahim Bala, who had earlier been announced as Makinde’s running mate. Bala was reportedly intended to serve as a placeholder before the party settled on a substantive candidate...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The choice of Daura is particularly significant because of his extensive experience in Nigeria’s security sector. He served as Director General of the State Security Service between 2015 and 2018 and was involved in national security operations during a critical period in the country’s political history.
Makinde’s decision to select a former intelligence chief as his running mate appears to place national security at the centre of his presidential campaign. The governor has repeatedly identified insecurity as one of the major challenges confronting Nigeria and has presented the need for stronger security coordination as a key part of his political agenda.
The announcement also comes as opposition politicians continue to explore possible alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Makinde called on opposition forces to look beyond individual political ambitions and work towards presenting Nigerians with a credible alternative.
According to the governor, the challenge before the opposition is bigger than simply winning an election. He argued that the ultimate objective should be to provide Nigerians with a genuine choice concerning the future direction of the country.
His appeal is coming at a time when several opposition figures and political parties are holding discussions about possible alliances and strategies for challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
The emergence of Daura as Makinde’s running mate is therefore expected to generate political debate, particularly because of his background in Nigeria’s intelligence community. While his experience could strengthen Makinde’s campaign on security issues, his previous role in the security establishment is also likely to attract scrutiny as the election approaches.
Makinde, who has governed Oyo State since 2019, is now seeking to take his political campaign beyond the state and position himself as a national alternative in the 2027 presidential contest.
The governor’s choice of a running mate with a strong security background could also become a major talking point during the campaign, especially as Nigerians continue to grapple with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges across different parts of the country.
With the 2027 election drawing closer, the political landscape is already becoming increasingly competitive. Major political figures are positioning themselves, while opposition groups are searching for a formula capable of bringing different interests together under one platform.
Makinde’s latest move could therefore mark the beginning of a more aggressive phase of his presidential campaign, particularly if his call for opposition cooperation gains support from other political leaders.
The coming months are expected to reveal whether the opposition can overcome its internal differences and unite around a single political strategy. For Makinde, the selection of Lawal Daura represents not only the unveiling of a running mate but also an attempt to place security, experience and opposition cooperation at the heart of his campaign for the presidency in 2027.
