Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has announced his candidacy for the 2027 presidential race, declaring that Nigeria is overdue for a decisive reset.
The announcement was made at a large rally convened to celebrate the merger of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement. Addressing a charged crowd, Makinde expressed alarm at the worsening hardship facing ordinary Nigerians and urged citizens to move from passive observation to active political participation.
The governor questioned the health of Nigeria’s democracy, arguing that a functioning multiparty system has all but disappeared. He maintained that the real opposition in the country is not housed within any particular political party, but embodied by millions of everyday Nigerians struggling under the weight of bad governance.
Makinde appealed to opposition parties to close ranks and pursue a common goal, insisting that division among opposition forces only serves those in power. He described the PDP-APM alliance as a landmark development, one he believes opens the door to fielding a joint slate of candidates spanning every tier of government — from presidential to state legislative seats.
Invoking Ibadan’s long-standing reputation as a city of warriors, the governor cast the alliance as the opening move in a broader fight to reclaim the country’s future.
He then stepped forward with a direct declaration of his presidential ambition, announcing his candidacy for the nation’s highest office.
