Oyo State Governor and the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, ‘Seyi Makinde, has declared that the 2027 general election will be a referendum on the ruling All Progressives Congress, expressing confidence that Nigerians will reject the party at the polls and deliver victory to the APM across the country.
Makinde, according to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, made the declaration on Saturday at the official flag-off of the APM Presidential and Governorship Campaign in Oyo State.
The event held at the Durbar Stadium, Oyo, where he told thousands of supporters that Nigerians would deliver a historic verdict against the APC in the 2027 elections.
Addressing a crowd of APM leaders, stakeholders and supporters from across the state, Makinde congratulated the party’s governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, and all other APM candidates.
He noted that the people of Oyo State had embraced them and would vote overwhelmingly for the party in the January 16 and February 6, 2027 elections.
Makinde said the choice before Nigerians is clear and that citizens would speak loudly through their votes in support of good governance, prosperity and continuity in Oyo State and across the country.
He urged APM members and Nigerians not to be intimidated, stressing that the people are determined to take their destiny into their own hands.
The governor also called on party leaders and supporters to return to their wards and local government areas to intensify mobilisation efforts, assuring them that the APM remains focused, united and ready to deliver victory for the people.
In his address, the APM governorship candidate, Adekanmbi, expressed delight at Makinde’s achievements in office, noting that the administration’s success provided both the impetus for Makinde’s presidential aspiration and the confidence to recommend a worthy successor who would continue the state’s developmental strides.
Adekanmbi stated that Makinde has performed exceptionally well in Oyo State and would replicate, and even surpass, those achievements at the national level if elected President.
He also maintained that he is fully prepared to serve and take Oyo State to greater heights through the programmes and policies outlined in his manifesto.
He said, “We are happy today and we thank God. We also thank our leader, Governor Makinde, because if he had not governed well, he would not have had the confidence to push for continuity.
“He has done well for the people of Oyo State. Beyond what he has achieved in the state, he now seeks to replicate these successes across Nigeria as President in 2027, and we pray that God grants him the fulfilment of that ambition.
“Four years ago, someone promised to make Nigeria better for its citizens. Today, however, we have seen the opposite. Things are difficult everywhere. There is insecurity, and there appears to be no effective plan to lift people out of poverty.
“Today, we have another leader in Governor Makinde who seeks to reset Nigeria by replicating the good things he has done in Oyo State. We pray that the Makinde/Daura project becomes a reality in January.”
Adekanmbi commended all APM candidates, as well as party members, for their commitment to and belief in the party. He also appreciated the Oyo State APM Apex Campaign Council and everyone who contributed to the successful flag-off of the campaign.
He urged residents of Oyo State and Nigerians at large to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) so they could make a difference in the forthcoming elections.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantale, said Oyo State was fortunate to be blessed with credible candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections. He expressed confidence that the party would produce the next President of Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria has been presented with a pragmatic, proactive, intelligent, vibrant and dynamic presidential candidate in Governor Seyi Makinde, who possesses the capacity to lead the nation to prosperity.
Dantale added that, to sustain good governance in Oyo State, the party had also chosen a capable and dynamic governorship candidate to continue Governor Makinde’s legacy of development.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, urged party members to return to their wards and local government areas to canvass support for the party and its candidates.
In their separate goodwill messages, former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Chief Nureni Akanbi; and Chief Jacob Adetoro praised Governor Makinde’s unprecedented achievements in education, healthcare and other sectors. They urged Nigerians and Oyo State residents to vote massively for the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.
Similarly, the Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekeen Abass; Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Oyo State Chapter, Ajibola Hassan, represented by Comrade Mustapha; representative of Persons Living with Disabilities, Mr. Moshood Olaiya; and the representative of the students’ community, Comrade Uthman Olawale, commended the Makinde administration for its inclusiveness, financial support, empowerment initiatives, employment opportunities, payment of bursaries and improvements in the education sector. They also pledged their support for the party’s victory at the polls.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the APM Apex Campaign Council, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, urged party members to remain peaceful throughout the campaign period and to mobilise massive support from the electorate for the continuation of good governance in Oyo State and across Nigeria.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of party flags to the governorship candidate, his running mate, and the APM candidates for Oyo South, Oyo Central and Oyo North Senatorial Districts: Hon. Dhikrullahi Adedeji Olajide (Odidiomo), Hon. Ajadi Olufemi Oguntoyinbo and Hon. Shina Abiola Peller respectively.
The party’s 14 House of Representatives candidates and 32 House of Assembly candidates were also presented with their flags.
The event was attended by a former Deputy Governor, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Bashorun Akinwole Akinwale; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi; Chairman of the Elders Council, Dr. Saka Balogun; commissioners; Chairman of Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon. Sikiru Sanda; and many other party leaders and stakeholders.
