The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has dismissed Governor Seyi Makinde’s reported presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing it as a political drama allegedly designed to distract the people.
The party also warned that those behind what it described as the misuse of public resources in pursuit of the ambition would be held accountable and made to refund any state funds allegedly expended on the project.
The APC’s latest position followed a comment by Governor Makinde on Saturday that he would be available to receive more chieftaincy titles after leaving office in May 2027, saying he would have more time on his hands after completing his tenure.
Makinde made the remark shortly after he was installed as the Aare Asoludero of Ibarapaland by the Eleruwa of Eruwa during the monarch’s first coronation anniversary celebration in Eruwa, headquarters of Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Reacting in a statement issued in Ibadan on Sunday, the Oyo State APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, cautioned the governor against allegedly threatening citizens, traditional rulers and religious leaders over their interactions with APC candidates and supporters.
Sadare said the party believed Makinde lacked the political structure, experience and strategy required to successfully contest the presidency against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
He said, “It is important for us to reiterate that Governor Makinde does not possess the wherewithal to slug it out with President Bola Tinubu in 2027, but he is only out to make some noise and distract the global community.”
According to him, the governor’s presidential aspiration was unrealistic, alleging that Makinde was merely presenting himself as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), which he described as lacking the political structure required for a serious presidential contest.
“Makinde knows, in his mind, that contesting for the Nigerian presidency is not a child’s play. He does not possess the personal quality, experience and strategy to be the next president in 2027, yet he is parading himself as the presidential candidate of the structureless Allied Peoples’ Movement,” Sadare added.
The APC spokesman further claimed that although Makinde could afford to erect campaign posters and billboards in parts of Oyo and Bauchi states, his presidential bid would not translate into significant electoral success.
“Even if he gets himself on the ballot, the best he can get is to come in a distant eighth position,” he claimed.
Sadare maintained that President Tinubu remained the preferred choice of many Nigerians, including what he described as leaders of thought and eminent personalities.
He also argued that the political equation for the 2027 presidential election would favour a northern candidate after a possible second term for Tinubu, insisting that Makinde could not be trusted to lead Nigeria at such a critical period.
“Makinde is being monitored as he embarks on a political journey that has failed before its commencement, while he would be made to cough up all the public funds he wasted on it,” Sadare said.
