…May Run on APM Ticket, with Bala Mohammed as VP
…Wike: PDP-APM Alliance Political ’419’
By Jeremy Fregene
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde yesterday declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, signalling what observers see as an early move to fracture President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s traditional South-West political stronghold ahead of the next general election.
Makinde, who is reportedly weighing the possibility of running on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), is also believed to be considering Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed as a potential running mate in what could present a new opposition front ahead of 2027.
The Oyo governor made his presidential declaration during a joint unity rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APM in Ibadan, where opposition figures gathered to formalise a political alliance aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Makinde accused the APC-led administration of attempting to weaken opposition parties and steer Nigeria towards a one-party state, warning that the country’s democracy was under serious threat.
“Today, we have brought ourselves to a critical point in our political history where the very foundation of democracy is being threatened. We have witnessed continuous attempts to weaken opposition parties across the country. Democracy cannot thrive under a one-party system,” he declared.
The governor also painted a grim picture of the nation’s economy and security climate, saying millions of Nigerians were enduring worsening hardship under the current administration.
“At the same time, the economy and security situation continue to deteriorate, placing enormous hardship on millions of Nigerians. The responsibility of any government is to look after the welfare and well-being of its citizens, but many Nigerians are struggling daily under the present realities,” he said.
Makinde described the emerging coalition as a people-driven movement focused on rescuing Nigeria from economic decline and political domination.
“The real opposition is made up of ordinary Nigerians whose aspirations and welfare must come first. Political parties and stakeholders who truly care about the future of this country must work together to provide a credible alternative for the people,” he added.
But the move immediately drew a fierce response from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who dismissed the alliance as a political charade and described Makinde’s presidential ambition as “dead on arrival.”
Speaking during an inspection of road projects in Abuja, Wike accused his former ally of orchestrating what he termed “political 419” ahead of the 2027 elections.
“When I say people are fraudulent, they thought I was joking. And that’s the 419 we are talking about,” Wike said.
The former Rivers governor insisted that neither the PDP nor the Independent National Electoral Commission recognised any formal alliance between the PDP and APM.
“There’s no alliance between PDP and Allied Peoples Movement or any other political party. INEC also knows there’s nothing called PDP-APM alliance,” he stated.
According to Wike, the ongoing activities within the PDP, including the screening of aspirants, showed clearly that the party remained intact and independent.
He further alleged that Makinde’s romance with the APM was solely designed to actualise a presidential ambition that lacked national viability.
“What you have is Seyi Makinde joining APM to be able to actualise his presidential ambition, which is already dead on arrival,” Wike declared.
He also denied reports suggesting that Bala Mohammed was part of any coalition arrangement, insisting the Bauchi governor had made no such commitment.
“It’s unfortunate. We know that has been his game plan, and we would say he cannot fly the flag of PDP,” Wike added.