2027: ‘Election Will Be APC Against Nigerians’ Makinde Confident of Defeating Tinubu

2027: ‘Election Will Be APC Against Nigerians’ Makinde Confident of Defeating Tinubu

Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has expressed confidence that he will defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other contenders in the 2027 presidential election.

Makinde declared that the forthcoming election would not simply be a contest between political parties but a struggle between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Nigerians seeking a change in leadership.

The governor made the declaration during an exclusive interview with Ojy Okpe on ARISE News’ Presidential Series.

Defending his decision to contest on the relatively less established APM platform, Makinde said his political calculations were based on electoral data, historical voting patterns and the capacity of ordinary Nigerians to influence election outcomes.

He cited the performance of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, arguing that Peter Obi’s emergence as its presidential candidate helped the party increase its national votes from about 6,000 in 2019 to more than six million in 2023.

He also referenced the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which recorded a significant increase in votes following the entry of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Makinde argued that these examples demonstrated that a political movement could achieve electoral success without necessarily controlling an established national political structure.

Although acknowledging that the APM is relatively new, he maintained that he enjoys considerable political support, including from former allies within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

When asked about his chances against candidates backed by larger political structures, the governor insisted that the people would ultimately determine the outcome.

“This 2027 election, it is not going to be between APC and APM, or APC and ADC, or ADC and NDC. It will be the ruling party, APC, versus the people of Nigeria,” he said.

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Makinde also disclosed that he was open to political collaboration with other opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, if such an arrangement would advance his proposed national reset agenda.

He described both politicians as qualified to become president and said any decision on an alliance would be guided by electoral data, public sentiment and what would best serve the country.

The APM candidate also proposed constitutional reforms that would require a presidential candidate to secure at least 50 per cent plus one of the votes to win the presidency.

According to him, the proposed reform would encourage broader national support and make it necessary for presidential candidates to negotiate with different sections of the country.

Makinde, who was re-elected Oyo State governor in 2023, said his experience in the state had strengthened his confidence in his ability to lead Nigeria.