The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has issued a stern warning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that any attempt to field Governor Seyi Makinde as its presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections would lead the party down a path of electoral failure and political irrelevance.
The APC’s reaction came in the wake of Governor Makinde’s recent remarks during an appearance on Channels Television, where he hinted at the possibility of seeking Nigeria’s top political office in the next election cycle. Although the Oyo State governor stopped short of declaring a definitive interest in the presidency, he expressed strong confidence in his leadership credentials and capacity to lead at the highest level.
“I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land, and I have what it takes,” Makinde stated during the televised interview. He, however, noted that the decision would ultimately depend on various factors, including the direction of his party and the demands of Nigerians. “But is it what I want to do right now? Is it what Nigerians are asking for? Is it what my party will say we should do? I don’t know. We still have a long time to go,” he added.
Despite the governor’s cautious tone, his comments sparked immediate backlash from the Oyo APC, which described the prospect of a Makinde presidential bid as both laughable and catastrophic for the PDP. The party accused the PDP of becoming a shadow of its former self and warned that endorsing Makinde for the presidency would mark the final downfall of the once-dominant political force.
Speaking on behalf of the party, the Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Shadare, dismissed Makinde’s aspirations as lacking in national depth and foresight. He argued that entrusting the future of a national party like the PDP to someone of Makinde’s political calibre would be a grave miscalculation.
“We encourage him to go all out and secure the presidential ticket of the PDP for the next general election,” Shadare said in a statement issued on Wednesday. “But let it be known that the same PDP, which once governed this nation for 16 unbroken years, has now turned into a platform for comic relief in the hands of certain individuals.”
Shadare further asserted that the PDP would essentially be writing its own political obituary by choosing Makinde as its flagbearer in 2027. “We do not wish the PDP dead,” he added, “but if the party insists on entrusting its destiny to people like Governor Seyi Makinde, then we say good luck to them—they will need it.”
The exchange highlights the increasingly heated political atmosphere as parties begin subtle positioning ahead of the next electoral cycle. While Governor Makinde’s ambition remains speculative, his statement has reignited debates around 2027 and the potential candidates who may emerge in what is expected to be a keenly contested presidential race.
