Makinde Picks Ex-DSS Boss Lawal Daura as Running Mate for 2027 Presidency.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has picked former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Makinde unveiled Daura on Thursday at the APM National Convention held at the Dr Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu Square in Bauchi State, where he was formally elected as the party’s presidential candidate.

Daura replaces Ibrahim Adamu Bala, who had earlier been announced as Makinde’s running mate.

The earlier choice was reportedly regarded as a temporary arrangement pending the selection of a substantive running mate.

Makinde, while accepting the APM presidential ticket, pledged to work with like-minded politicians and stakeholders to build a better Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also promised to tackle insecurity and address the worsening poverty confronting millions of Nigerians, arguing that the hardship experienced by citizens was partly the result of poorly implemented policies.

The governor said his choice of Daura was deliberate, citing the former intelligence chief’s experience as an important asset in confronting Nigeria’s security challenges.

Daura served as Director-General of the State Security Service between 2015 and 2018, bringing extensive experience in intelligence and national security to the APM ticket.

The former DSS chief recently joined the APM after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he had been associated with political activities in Katsina State.

Makinde’s emergence as the APM presidential candidate formally positions him in the 2027 presidential contest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other prospective contenders.

At the convention, Makinde also called for cooperation among opposition parties, saying a credible opposition was necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and provide voters with an alternative in 2027.

The APM ticket of Makinde and Daura is expected to give the party a combination of executive governance experience and national security expertise as it begins preparations for the 2027 presidential election.