Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has disclosed that a prominent chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) cautioned him against entering the 2027 presidential race to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The revelation comes amid heightened political activity following Governor Makinde’s formal declaration of his 2027 presidential ambition under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“They Said It Would Be Political Suicide”
Speaking during an interactive media session in Ibadan, Makinde detailed the private conversation where the unnamed APC leader advised him to step back and avoid a confrontation with the ruling party’s machinery:
“An APC chieftain came to me privately and said, ‘Seyi, take your hand off this 2027 trigger. Don’t contest against President Tinubu. You are young, you have a bright political future—don’t burn it going against federal might.’ But I told him clearly that my political future is in the hands of God and the Nigerian people, not any political hierarchy or federal structure.” — Gov. Seyi Makinde
Key Points of Political Tension
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MAKINDE vs. APC 2027 MATRIX │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Presidential Declaration : Makinde formally entered the 2027 race, │
│ positioning himself as a core PDP opposition candidate. │
│ │
│ • Rejection of Wike's Line : Openly broke with FCT Minister Nyesom │
│ Wike over backing Tinubu, insisting he will not support APC in 2027. │
│ │
│ • Southwest Battleground : Regional APC groups & Ibadan traditional │
│ chiefs have reaffirmed support for Tinubu's second term bid. │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
(Sources: Oyo State Government Media Briefings & Political Directives)
Southwest Political Realignment
Makinde’s insistence on contesting sets up a high-stakes confrontation in the Southwest geopolitical zone, where President Tinubu maintains a strong political foothold:
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Regional Resistance: Groups like the Noble Chiefs Forum in Ibadan have publicly urged the region to support President Tinubu for a second term, arguing that a single eight-year tenure for the region mirrors historical precedent set by previous administrations.
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Opposition Position: Dismissing warnings of “federal might,” Makinde maintained that the 2027 election will not merely be a battle between political parties, but rather a direct choice by Nigerians on the direction of the economy, governance, and national security.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
