By Gideon Maxwell
May 30, 2026
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following a consensus process concluded at a party gathering in Ibadan.
The development was confirmed at the party’s presidential nomination exercise held alongside a broader political realignment involving elements of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APM, where delegates reportedly adopted Makinde through a voice vote.
According to party officials who presided over the exercise, the process was concluded without contest after state chairmen and delegates signalled approval for his adoption as flagbearer.
“The emergence followed a peaceful presidential primary and symbolised a new alliance of reform minded political actors seeking a reset of the Nigerian state,” a party source said during the proceedings.
APM leadership said the consensus followed internal consultations across party structures, describing the outcome as a demonstration of unity within the emerging political bloc.
Makinde, who formally declared his presidential ambition during a rally in Ibadan earlier in the week, said the decision reflected a broader national responsibility he was prepared to shoulder.
ALSO READ: PDP faction adopts Jonathan as 2027 candidate amid Abuja showdown
“The time to reset Nigeria is now. Therefore, today, I, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, announce my candidacy for the position of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said during his declaration address.
Following his emergence as candidate, he reiterated that his aspiration was driven by the need for structural reforms and governance discipline.
“I believe that we possess the capacity to rebuild our economy through honesty, discipline and practical reforms,” Makinde stated.
He also stressed that his campaign would be issue based rather than personality driven.
“I do not stand before you promising miracles. I am an engineer, not a miracle worker,” he added.
The exercise also featured endorsements from political stakeholders aligned to the alliance structure, including representatives from supportive blocs within the PDP and APM arrangement, who described the development as a consolidation of opposition forces ahead of 2027.
A delegation linked to allied political interests, including figures associated with Governor Bala Mohammed’s political network, also expressed support for the emergence, describing it as a strategic alignment aimed at electoral competitiveness.
Party officials said the adoption process also extended to other elective positions under the APM structure, as the party positions itself for wider national contests in the 2027 general elections.
The announcement has further intensified political conversations around emerging alliances, particularly the PDP and APM cooperation framework, which continues to reshape opposition dynamics ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Political implications of Makinde’s APM emergence
Makinde’s emergence, if sustained within the alliance structure, signals a significant recalibration within Nigeria’s opposition politics, particularly as factions within major parties explore cross platform arrangements ahead of 2027.
It places him at the centre of a developing coalition strategy that seeks to consolidate support bases across multiple regions while challenging the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
However, the arrangement is already attracting pushback from rival political actors who question the legality and durability of the PDP APM alignment, suggesting further intra opposition negotiations are likely in the coming months.
