By Ayo Kehinde
Governor Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, while calling for stronger collaboration among opposition parties to reposition Nigeria and deepen democratic governance.
Makinde made the declaration during a mega rally held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to officially unveil an alliance between the factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tamini Turaki and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
The Oyo governor said the coalition marked the beginning of a broader political movement to offer Nigerians a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing party supporters, political stakeholders and residents who attended the rally, Makinde expressed concern over the economic and social challenges facing Nigerians, insisting that citizens could no longer afford to remain passive observers in the nation’s affairs.
According to him, the time had come for opposition political parties to unite and work together in the interest of national progress.
“Without a multi-party system, there is no democracy. Where is our multi-party democracy? Where do we go from here? We have been pushed to the wall. The opposition cannot continue to remain divided, because the real opposition is the everyday Nigerian struggling to survive”, he asked.
Makinde said the alliance between the PDP and APM would strengthen democratic participation and create a platform capable of producing candidates across all elective positions, from the presidency to the state Houses of Assembly.
“This is the time for all of us to ensure Nigeria works for us. This is the time to confront our fears. It is time to engage as citizens and not spectators. For the opposition political parties, this is the time to unite and work in unity and give our nation the much-needed reset”, he stated.
The governor described Ibadan as “the city of warriors”, saying the coalition represented the first major opposition alliance ahead of the next election cycle.
“The time to reset Nigeria is now. Ibadan is the city of warriors. The first grand alliance is formed. The PDP and APM alliance is formed. This handshake will allow us to field candidates from the presidency to the State Assembly”, he added.
Makinde then officially announced his entry into the 2027 presidential race.
“And so, I declare my candidacy for the office of the President of Nigeria”, he said to loud cheers from supporters at the rally venue.
The rally drew large crowds, including party chieftains, youth groups, women’s organisations and supporters from Oyo State and neighbouring states, many of whom described the alliance as a strategic step toward strengthening democratic competition in the country.
