2027 Presidency: Makinde set to join race as Turaki-led PDP confirms alliance with APM

Confirming the development on Wednesday, Ini Ememobong, spokesperson of the Turaki PDP faction, said the alliance stemmed from the All Opposition Political Party Leaders summit held in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo, in April.

“Many more alliances to come, but starting with this,” Ememobong said.

Last month, opposition parties, including the Turaki-led PDP, African Democratic Congress (ADC), and a faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), announced a plan to field a single presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.

On May 7, Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, purchased the APM senate nomination form, five days after resigning from the PDP.

There is swirling speculation that Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo and a chieftain of the PDP, will join the APM at the joint mega rally of both parties today, Thursday, May 14, 2026 in Ibadan.

Ahead of the rally, several PDP state and federal lawmakers in Oyo have defected to the APM.

The PDP is polarised into two factions.

The faction backed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s authentic leadership.

Sources said Makinde may formally declare his presidential ambition during a rally billed for the ancient Mapo Hall in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area of the state, on Thursday.

The event, tagged “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026,” is expected to serve as the official launch of Makinde’s anticipated 2027 presidential bid, alongside the unveiling of a political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement in the state.

Aside from declaring his presidential bid, Makinde is also expected to unveil aspirants seeking state and national elective positions on the platform of the APM.

Recall that there was a wave of resignations by political officeholders in the state, especially those seeking positions in the 2027 elections, from the PDP to the APM.

Among those expected to be unveiled on the APM platform are former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Bimbo Adekanmbi, as the party’s governorship candidate; Stanley Olajide, Olufemi Ajadi and Shina Peller as senatorial candidates.

House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates of the party are also expected to be unveiled.

The declaration rally is expected to be preceded by the signing of an agreement between leaders of the APM and the Taminu Turaki faction of the PDP on the terms of the alliance.

Meanwhile, speaking on Wednesday at the Oyo state tourism summit held at the University of Ibadan International Conference Centre, Governor Makinde said the federal might will not influence the outcome of the 2027 elections.

He expressed optimism that Nigerians would vote for leaders of their choice regardless of political influence.

“I believe that this election cycle, federal might will not work. It has worked in Ekiti state in both instances but this time around, Nigerians will show politicians pepper,” he said.

“They will show us that they don’t want to be bystanders anymore; they will participate, and I’m sure of what I’m saying

On governance in Oyo after his tenure, the governor said his administration has created structures in the state that would ensure continuity.

Makinde said although he would recommend a successor, the people of Oyo would ultimately decide who becomes the next governor.

The governor, however, cautioned that electing a candidate without the capacity to govern would have lasting consequences for the stat

“I tell people that I will recommend for Oyo state people, but the decision will rest with the people of Oyo state,” he said.

“But if you make a mistake and bring someone who will not do good work, it is a one-day event, but the impact will last four years.

“So, we must get it right. Leadership changes but systems, they endure. So, our focus has been deliberate.”

There have been speculations that Makinde may back Bimbo Adekanbi, a former commissioner for finance in the state, as his preferred governorship candidate.

Adekanbi served in the administration of the late Abiola Ajimobi under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

On Wednesday, Adebo Ogundoyin, speaker of the Oyo house of assembly, said he led lawmakers in the state “to a strategic breakfast meeting” with Adekanmbi, “the consensus gubernatorial candidate of our new party in the State Allied Peoples Movement.”

Oyo is the only state currently governed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria. The party has been embroiled in an internal leadership crisis, resulting in factions aligned with Makinde and Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Responding to the speculations, Makinde said he would support any candidate who is loyal to Oyo and possesses the capacity to govern effectively.

“People said ‘oh, so Seyi, you did not mentor anyone these seven years you have been in government that can take over from you without the taint of APC’? And I ask them that Morohunkola Thomas or Bimbo Adekanbi, are they not from Oyo state? For us, if you’re from Oyo state, loyal to Oyo state, and have capacity, we will support you,” he said.

“We are blind to party colouration but open to capacity that can move Oyo state forward.”

Makinde said his administration is focused on ensuring continuity in governance by building enduring systems that future administrations can strengthen rather than replace.

He added that the goal is to lay a solid foundation that would allow subsequent governments to build on existing structures instead of starting afresh.