Makinde Defends 2027 Presidential Bid Against Tinubu, Cites Obasanjo-Falae Contest

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has defended his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election against President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the South-West can produce two presidential candidates without compromising the region’s interests.

Makinde, who is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, made the argument on Thursday during the party’s South-West town hall meeting in Akure, Ondo State.

He said the region had previously produced two presidential contenders during the 1999 election, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae contested for the country’s highest political office.

The governor said the example showed that having two presidential candidates from the same region was not unusual and should not prevent him from challenging Tinubu in 2027.

Makinde said some people had questioned his decision to enter the race because the South-West already had a president.

He recalled the 1999 election, arguing that the region presented two candidates for Nigerians to choose from without the country experiencing a crisis because of the contest.

The governor also urged voters to reject what he described as politics of deceit, saying he would rather focus on his record in Oyo State than rely solely on criticism of political opponents.

On the question of age, Makinde said he intended to make energy and stamina issues in his campaign rather than focus on the ages of presidential candidates.

He argued that the country’s challenges required leaders capable of sustaining the demands of the office and responding to national problems.

The governor also criticised aspects of the Federal Government’s budget process, questioning the clarity of budget implementation across different financial years.

Makinde’s presidential ambition comes as political parties and opposition figures continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election.

He formally declared his intention to contest the presidency on the APM platform in May 2026, promoting his proposed Reset Nigeria agenda.

His latest remarks place regional representation and the right of political parties to field candidates at the centre of his argument for challenging the incumbent president.

However, the 2027 election outcome will depend on the choices of eligible voters and the broader political contest, rather than regional representation alone.