2027: Makinde May Declare Presidential Bid Thursday

Barring any change of plans, Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, is set to declare his 2027 presidential ambition on Thursday.

Makinde, it was gathered, would declare his ambition during a “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026,” which will unveil a grand political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM).

The event, to be held at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan, is also meant to unveil PDP candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Michael Ogunsina, spokesperson for the Uncompromised PDP, and made available to journalists, party stakeholders, leaders, supporters and members across the state.

The leadership crisis that rocked the PDP had forced Makinde and his Bauchi State counterpart, Governor Bala Mohammed, to pitch their tents with APM. While Bala has since secured the party’s senatorial ticket, Makinde is poised to run for President on the party’s platform.

On Monday, the former Chairman of the APM Board of Trustees, Muhammed Musa Bagana, welcomed the defection of Makinde and Mohammed to the party.

What’s more, five House of Representatives members – all loyal to Makinde- recently dumped the PDP for the APM.

They are: Dhikirulahi Stanley Olajide (Ibadan South West/Ibadan North West); Abass Adigun (Ibadan North East/South East); Folajimi Oyekunle (Ibadan North Federal Constituency) and Anthony Adepoju (Ibarapa North/Ibarapa Central); and Shina Oyedeji (Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency).

However, the Ibadan event on Thursday, tagged, “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026,” is expected to serve as the official launch of Governor Makinde’s anticipated 2027 presidential bid, the unveiling of a grand political alliance between the PDP and APM, and the introduction of candidates aligned with the emerging coalition.

Sources familiar with the development disclosed that preparations for the rally have intensified amid growing political realignments within Oyo State and the wider South-West region.

Several grassroots mobilisers, political associates and loyalists of Governor Makinde are reportedly making strategic moves as consultations over a broader political structure continue to gather momentum.

According to the statement, the event is compulsory for all candidates, while party leaders, stakeholders, PDP support groups and loyalists of Makinde, popularly known as GSM lovers, were urged to mobilise massively for the occasion.

The statement emphasised the need for strong participation from party structures across the State to ensure a successful outing for the ruling party.

It also encouraged candidates and supporters to come adorned in publicity materials such as caps, banners, placards and flyers to create awareness and demonstrate solidarity with the party and Governor Makinde’s administration.

Ogunsina urged all concerned to treat the announcement with utmost importance, describing the event as a significant step in the party’s preparations towards the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, a crisis is brewing within APM following allegations that the party’s 2027 election nomination process may have been compromised.

It was learnt that the party’s election nomination forms are being reserved for loyalists of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who recently joined APM.

Sources within the party alleged that only aspirants deemed loyal to the two governors have been allowed to access the forms, effectively shutting out other contenders.

An aggrieved aspirant who spoke with LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity accused party authorities of “deliberate obstruction,” claiming repeated efforts to obtain forms were ignored without justification.

However, calls and a text message sent to APM National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, went unanswered.

Mohammed has since defected to the party, while Makinde is poised to formally join the party and declare his presidential ambition on Thursday.

It was learnt that disgruntled aspirants insisted that they met all requirements but were deliberately blocked, describing the process as calculated and exclusionary.

The situation was further worsened by the party’s slow, largely manual membership registration system, which narrowed the circle of state officials.