Makinde Dumps PDP, Declares 2027 Presidential Bid on APM Platform

Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), signaling a major shift in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the next general elections.

Makinde made the declaration on Thursday during a political rally held at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid widening cracks within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and growing realignments among opposition figures.

Addressing supporters at the rally, the Oyo governor formally announced his ambition to seek the nation’s highest office.

“I, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, Excellency, announce my candidacy for the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he declared to loud cheers from party loyalists and supporters.

The announcement marks a dramatic political development, especially as Makinde has remained one of the most influential governors within the PDP in recent years. His decision to pitch his tent with the APM is expected to trigger fresh conversations about alliances, defections, and the future of opposition politics ahead of 2027.

Political observers say the move could reshape the balance of power within the opposition bloc, particularly in the South-West, where Makinde has built a strong political structure since assuming office in 2019.

Although details surrounding his exit from the PDP and the structure of his presidential campaign are still emerging, the declaration is already generating reactions across the country, with analysts describing it as one of the earliest major political statements ahead of the 2027 race.

Neither the national leadership of the PDP nor the Allied Peoples Movement had issued an official statement on the development as of the time of filing this report.