Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde predicts the 2027 presidential election will be a contest between Nigerians and the APC. Criticizing the APC’s handling of the economy and security, Makinde reflects on PDP's 2023 mistakes and emphasizes the need for party unity and stronger representation ahead of the election.
In a bold statement on Channels Television's Politics Today, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, declared that the 2027 presidential election will not be a simple battle between the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), but rather a contest between the APC and the Nigerian people. According to Makinde, the upcoming election will serve as a "judgment time" for the ruling APC, which he criticized for its handling of the economy and worsening security issues.
Makinde, a key figure in the PDP, expressed confidence that his party would regain its standing among Nigerians, emphasizing that the PDP would not repeat the mistakes of the 2023 election. Reflecting on the previous election's loss, he blamed the party’s leadership structure for alienating the southern voters, with key positions like the presidential ticket, national chairmanship, and campaign director-general all held by northern figures. This exclusion, he argued, contributed to the party's defeat, creating a political imbalance that failed to resonate with the broader electorate.
The governor also revealed that he believed the PDP could have presented a stronger presidential ticket had former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, been chosen as the running mate for Atiku Abubakar in 2023. According to Makinde, Wike’s inclusion would have strengthened the party’s appeal, but party leaders rejected the proposal, resulting in internal divisions and the eventual loss of power.
Looking ahead to 2027, Makinde remains resolute in his belief that the PDP must learn from its past missteps. He noted that the party's future lies in rebuilding its connection with the ordinary Nigerian and maintaining unity within its ranks to face the APC at the polls.
