Oyo State Governor and Allied People’s Movement (APM) presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has said the outcome of the polls must reflect the will of Nigerians.
Makinde stated this in Bauchi on Friday after a closed-door meeting with Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the APM National Chairman, and other party leaders and stakeholders at Ramat House, Bauchi.
He said the people give the APM confidence going into 2027. “Democracy is about dealing with the people of Nigeria. We believe the people of Nigeria will speak very loud and clearly when the time comes,” he said.
The governor described the current political climate as “toxic” and “the darkest moment” in the country’s history, but expressed optimism.
“It is in the darkest moments that the day is about to break. I can assure Nigerians that irrespective of the challenges we face, a new dawn is about to break for the country. Tomorrow, the sun will start rising again for Nigeria,” he said.
On the APM’s chances of winning in 2027, Makinde cited his 2019 victory in Oyo State.
“In 2019, as an opposition PDP candidate, the APC controlled both the federal and Oyo State governments, yet we won. The same thing will happen this time. They must not suppress the will of the people. We will not allow any electoral malpractice. The outcome must reflect the voice of Nigerians,” he said.
Makinde said those who blamed former President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2014 abduction of Chibok schoolgirls are now blaming him for the abduction of pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo State, on May 15, 2026. He noted that a governor has no direct control over security agencies.
“For over seven years and two months, Oyo State did not record any abduction until May 15, 2026. I declared my presidential ambition at 4 p.m., and by 9 a.m. the next day, the children were abducted. We are still trying to respond to this,” he said.
“I may have handled security differently, but we are cooperating with the federal government and trying to do more.”
He explained the limits of a governor’s powers: “My brother and I are called chief security officers of our states, but I cannot give direct instructions to the Commissioner of Police. He needs approval from the Inspector General of Police. The same applies to the DSS Director and the military. We need to look at this architecture and ensure that where responsibility is given, authority must also be given. That is what we will do if Nigerians trust the APM with the presidency.”
On calls for a curfew, he said the economic impact must also be considered.
Speaking on the choice of a running mate, Makinde said consultations are ongoing, including with Governor Bala Mohammed.
“Let us wait until the names are uploaded on the INEC portal. It will be open. Before I became governor in 2019, my driver was the deputy governorship candidate as a placeholder. When we aligned with other opposition parties, we gave the slot to the ADC. Expect something similar this time. We have enough time for consultations.”
On the purpose of his visit, he said:
“I came to consult with my brother on wide-ranging issues. The two of us are the only APM governors in the country. APC has 31 governors. We have one each from Labour Party, APGA, and Accord. Consulting with him is a no-brainer. He has handled security challenges here and I’m taking back ideas we may try in our state. We also discussed the future of our party and democracy in Nigeria.”
Bala Mohammed Backs Makinde
Governor Bala Mohammed commended Makinde for the visit and expressed confidence in his candidacy, citing his transformation of Oyo State, including the rebuilding of the Ibadan Airport, a federal facility.
“Our relationship dates back to our time in the PDP. It has always been about peer review and collaboration. Governor Makinde is a seasoned engineer who has turned Oyo into a modern city with expansive roads and a revitalized airport,” he said.
He added that the APM is “steadily growing into the next major opposition party” and will run an issue-based campaign.
“Governor Makinde is working to ensure our campaigns are free of malice and driven by maturity, sound ideas, and capable individuals,” he said.
APM National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, said the party is ready for the contest despite having only two governors.
“In the history of this country, Nigerians have never desired change like this. It is shameful that Nigerians are being chased out of countries like South Africa, whose independence we fought for, while our government stands aloof,” he said.
“APM is not coming to do the usual. We are coming to reset Nigeria, to reboot Nigeria, and to start solving problems from the grassroots. Let every Nigerian take their destiny in their hands. This we will do legitimately.”
He called on all Nigerians to support the APM ahead of 2027.
