Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), signalling a major political development ahead of the next general elections.
Makinde announced his presidential ambition on Thursday during a massive rally held at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid increasing political realignments involving factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition groups.
The event, tagged “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026,” attracted party supporters, political stakeholders, youth groups, traditional leaders, and loyalists from different parts of the country.
Addressing thousands of supporters at the rally, the governor formally declared his bid for the nation’s highest office.
“I, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, Excellency, announce my candidacy for the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he declared to loud cheers from the crowd.
Makinde’s declaration marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governor had earlier led the Taminu Turaki-led faction of the PDP in Oyo State to formalise a political alliance with the Allied Peoples Movement through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
The agreement was signed by Governor Makinde and the National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, on behalf of both parties.
The alliance is expected to reshape political calculations in Oyo State and beyond, especially as several influential politicians and officeholders have recently defected from the PDP to the APM.
Under the terms of the agreement, candidates aligned with the PDP faction seeking elective positions, including governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly seats, are expected to contest the 2027 elections on the platform of the APM instead of the PDP.
Political observers believe the move represents a strategic effort by Makinde and his allies to establish a broader political structure capable of competing strongly at the national level.
The rally also served as an avenue for the unveiling of several aspirants expected to contest various elective positions under the APM platform.
Among those unveiled were former Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, Bimbo Adekanmbi, who emerged as the party’s governorship candidate, as well as Stanley Olajide, Olufemi Ajadi, and former lawmaker and entrepreneur Shina Peller, who are expected to contest senatorial seats.
Several aspirants for House of Representatives and State House of Assembly positions were also presented to supporters during the gathering.
Speaking during the event, leaders of the alliance described the coalition as a movement aimed at redefining governance and leadership in Nigeria.
Sources within the political bloc said the alliance was formed following extensive consultations among party leaders and stakeholders dissatisfied with the internal crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.
The coalition is also believed to be part of wider efforts to consolidate grassroots support structures across Oyo State and other parts of the country ahead of the 2027 polls.
The political developments come months after Makinde reiterated his loyalty to the PDP following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in January 2026.
At the time, the governor had advocated what he described as a bipartisan approach to governance, particularly on issues affecting national security, economic growth, and poverty reduction.
However, Thursday’s declaration appears to signal a new political direction for the governor and his supporters.
Analysts say Makinde’s entry into the presidential race could alter the dynamics within opposition politics, especially among politicians seeking alternatives outside the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The governor has continued to enjoy growing popularity among many young Nigerians and political supporters who view him as one of the more influential opposition figures in the country.
His administration in Oyo State has often highlighted achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agribusiness, and fiscal reforms as evidence of his leadership credentials.
Supporters at the rally described Makinde as a bridge-builder capable of uniting different political tendencies across Nigeria.
Several youth groups and political associations at the event pledged support for his presidential ambition, insisting that the country required a new generation of leadership focused on development, accountability, and national unity.
The atmosphere at Mapo Hall remained celebratory throughout the rally, with party supporters chanting solidarity songs and waving banners in support of the governor’s ambition.
Security was also heightened around the venue as political leaders and supporters from different states converged on Ibadan for the event.
Political observers believe the alliance between the PDP faction and the APM could trigger further defections and realignments in the coming months as the 2027 election season gathers momentum.
With Makinde now officially in the presidential race, attention is expected to shift to how other opposition figures and political parties respond to the growing coalition movement ahead of the elections.
