Makinde Unveils Oyo Campaign Council, Reaffirms Resolve to Challenge Tinubu in 2027

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has taken another step in his 2027 presidential campaign with the inauguration of the party’s Oyo State Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council.

The move comes amid the governor’s renewed insistence that he remains firmly in the race for Nigeria’s presidency despite mounting political pressure and speculation over his ambition.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Makinde’s Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the inauguration of the campaign council is scheduled to hold on Friday at the Conference Room of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.

The statement named the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Nureni Adeniran, as the Oyo State Coordinator of the APM 2027 Presidential Campaign and Director-General of the state’s Governorship Campaign Council.

Former Chairman of Oyo East Local Government, Saheed Arowosaye, was appointed Deputy State Coordinator of the presidential campaign, while the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Demola Ojo, will serve as Deputy Director-General for Oyo South.

Also appointed are Dr. Femi Ojo and Alhaji Siju Lawal as Deputy Directors-General for Oyo Central and Oyo North Senatorial Districts, respectively.

Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo will head the Women’s Wing of the campaign as Director, while former Special Assistant on Youth, Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa, will coordinate youth mobilisation as Director of the Youth Wing.

The statement added that additional members of the campaign council would be announced in due course.

The inauguration follows Makinde’s recent declaration that he would not withdraw from the 2027 presidential contest.

In the 142nd edition of his newsletter, the governor alleged that an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain warned him against contesting the presidency shortly before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) initiated a broad request for documents relating to Oyo State’s finances.

Makinde recalled that after he stated during a television interview in April 2025 that he possessed the capacity to lead Nigeria as president, an APC chieftain publicly cautioned him against joining the race following President Bola Tinubu’s endorsement as the APC’s sole presidential candidate.

He further disclosed that the EFCC subsequently requested documents relating to government contracts and payments dating back to 2021.

According to the governor, the Oyo State Government sought clarification from the anti-graft agency on the specific transactions or contractors under investigation but received no response.

The matter was later taken before the Federal High Court in Ibadan, which ruled that while the EFCC possesses constitutional powers to investigate financial crimes, such powers must be exercised within the limits of the law and not through speculative requests unconnected to any specific allegation.

Reacting to the judgment, Makinde described it as “a victory for the rule of law” rather than a victory over the EFCC.

The governor also dismissed suggestions that his presidential ambition was merely a negotiating strategy.

“I did not step forward in order to step down. I am going forward,” he declared.

Makinde had earlier formally announced his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election and unveiled a political alliance between his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction in Oyo State and the Allied Peoples Movement as part of his strategy for the next general election.