Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has predicted that Nigerians will vote out the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Makinde spoke on Saturday at the official flag-off of the APM presidential and governorship campaigns in Oyo State, held at Durbar Stadium, Oyo, where he described the forthcoming election as a referendum on the APC.
Addressing thousands of party leaders, stakeholders and supporters, the governor expressed confidence that the electorate would deliver a decisive verdict against the ruling party and vote for the APM across the country.
He congratulated the party’s governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, and other candidates, saying the people of Oyo State had embraced the APM and would vote for its candidates in the January 16 and February 6, 2027 elections.
Makinde said the choice before Nigerians was between the existing political direction and a government committed to good governance, prosperity and continuity.
He urged APM supporters not to be intimidated, insisting that Nigerians were determined to take their destiny into their own hands through their votes.
The governor also directed party leaders and supporters to return to their wards and local government areas to intensify mobilisation ahead of the elections, assuring them that the APM remained united and prepared to win.
Speaking at the event, Adekanmbi said he was ready to succeed Makinde and build on what he described as the governor’s achievements in Oyo State.
He said Makinde’s performance had given him the confidence to pursue the presidency while also providing a basis for the APM to present a successor capable of sustaining the state’s development.
“Beyond what he has achieved in the state, he now seeks to replicate these successes across Nigeria as President in 2027,” Adekanmbi said.
He criticised the APC-led Federal Government, arguing that Nigerians were facing worsening economic hardship and insecurity.
“Four years ago, someone promised to make Nigeria better for its citizens. Today, however, we have seen the opposite. Things are difficult everywhere,” he said.
Adekanmbi said Makinde’s presidential bid offers Nigerians an alternative, adding that he was prepared to serve and take Oyo State to greater heights through the programmes and policies contained in his manifesto.
He also urged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to participate in the 2027 elections.
APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantale, said Oyo State had been presented with credible candidates for the forthcoming elections and expressed confidence that Makinde would emerge as Nigeria’s next president.
Dantale described Makinde as a pragmatic, proactive and dynamic politician capable of leading Nigeria to prosperity.
He also said Adekanmbi was capable of sustaining the development recorded under the Makinde administration if elected governor.
Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, urged party members to intensify mobilisation at the ward and local government levels.
Former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu, and other speakers at the event praised the Makinde administration’s performance in education, healthcare and other sectors while calling for support for APM candidates.
Representatives of traders, teachers, persons living with disabilities and students also commended the administration for its empowerment programmes, financial support, employment initiatives, bursary payments and interventions in education.
Chairman of the APM Apex Campaign Council, Nureni Adeniran, urged members to maintain peace throughout the campaign and mobilise voters for the party.
The campaign launch also featured the presentation of party flags to Adekanmbi, his running mate and the party’s senatorial candidates for Oyo South, Oyo Central and Oyo North.
The candidates are Dhikrullahi Adedeji Olajide (Odidiomo), Ajadi Olufemi Oguntoyinbo and Shina Abiola Peller respectively.
Flags were also presented to the party’s 14 House of Representatives candidates and 32 House of Assembly candidates.
The event was attended by Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly Adebo Ogundoyin, Secretary to the State Government Musibau Babatunde, Chief of Staff Akinwole Akinwale, former Deputy Governor Hamid Gbadamosi, commissioners, local government chairmen and other APM leaders and stakeholders.
