Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has declared that the 2027 general election will be a referendum on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing confidence that Nigerians will reject the party and vote the APM into power.
Makinde, who spoke on Saturday at the official flag-off of the APM presidential and governorship campaigns in Oyo State, held at Durbar Stadium, Oyo, said the electorate would deliver a historic verdict against the APC in the forthcoming elections.
Addressing thousands of party supporters, leaders and stakeholders, the governor urged Nigerians not to be intimidated but to take their destiny into their own hands by voting for good governance, prosperity and continuity in Oyo State and across the country.
Message For Adekanmbi
He also congratulated the party’s governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, and other candidates, expressing confidence that the people of Oyo State would vote overwhelmingly for the APM in the January 16 and February 6, 2027 elections.
Makinde called on party leaders and supporters to return to their respective wards and local government areas to intensify grassroots mobilisation, insisting that the party remained united and prepared for victory.
Confidence
In his address, Adekanmbi expressed confidence that Makinde’s achievements in Oyo State would provide a strong foundation for his presidential ambition, adding that he was prepared to consolidate on the administration’s developmental strides if elected governor.
He described Makinde’s performance in the state as exceptional, expressing optimism that the governor would replicate and surpass his achievements at the national level if elected President in 2027.
Adekanmbi also criticised the APC-led Federal Government, saying Nigerians had experienced worsening economic hardship and insecurity despite previous promises of better governance.
“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,” he said.
He added that Makinde’s presidential ambition offered Nigerians an opportunity to experience the type of governance he claimed the governor had delivered in Oyo State.
Adekanmbi urged residents of the state and Nigerians generally to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them to participate actively in the 2027 elections.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantale, described Makinde as a pragmatic, proactive, intelligent and dynamic politician capable of leading Nigeria to prosperity.
Dantale expressed confidence that the party would produce the next President of Nigeria, adding that Adekanmbi was equally qualified to sustain the development agenda of the Makinde administration in Oyo State.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Barrister Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, urged party members to return to their wards and local government areas to canvass support for the party’s candidates.
In separate goodwill messages, former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Chief Nureni Akanbi; and Chief Jacob Adetoro commended Makinde’s administration for its achievements in education, healthcare and other sectors, urging voters to support the APM candidates.
Similarly, the Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekeen Abass; Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Chapter, Comrade Ajibola Hassan, represented by Comrade Mustapha; representative of Persons Living with Disabilities, Mr Moshood Olaiya; and students’ representative, Comrade Uthman Olawale, praised the administration for its empowerment programmes, employment opportunities, bursary payments, financial support and improvements in the education sector.
They pledged their support for the party’s candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the APM Apex Campaign Council, Dr Nureni Adeniran, appealed to party members to maintain peace throughout the campaign period while intensifying efforts to secure widespread support for the party.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of party flags to Adekanmbi, his running mate and other APM candidates contesting for legislative seats.
The senatorial candidates presented with party flags were Hon. Dhikrullahi Adedeji Olajide, popularly known as Odidiomo, for Oyo South; Hon. Ajadi Olufemi Oguntoyinbo for Oyo Central; and Hon. Shina Abiola Peller for Oyo North.
The party also presented flags to its 14 House of Representatives candidates and 32 House of Assembly candidates.
Dignitaries at the event included 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 Oyo State Elders Council, Dr Saka Balogun; and Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon. Sikiru Sanda.
Other attendees included commissioners, party leaders, stakeholders and supporters from across the state.
