Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), ‘Seyi Makinde, has described the 2027 general election as a referendum on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing confidence that Nigerians will reject the party and vote the APM into power.
Makinde made the declaration on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the official flag-off of the APM presidential and governorship campaigns in Oyo State, held at Durbar Stadium, Oyo town.
Addressing party leaders, stakeholders and supporters from across the state, the governor said Nigerians would use the forthcoming elections to express their dissatisfaction with the APC and choose a new direction for the country.
He congratulated the party’s governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, and other candidates, expressing confidence that the people of Oyo State would give the party overwhelming support in the January 16 and February 6, 2027 elections.
Makinde said the choice before Nigerians was between good governance, prosperity and continuity on one hand, and the prevailing challenges facing the country on the other.
He urged APM members and supporters not to be intimidated but to remain committed to the party’s ambition, insisting that Nigerians were determined to take their destiny into their own hands.
The governor also charged party leaders to return to their respective wards and local government areas to intensify mobilisation ahead of the elections, assuring them that the party remained united and prepared for victory.
Speaking at the rally, Adekanmbi attributed his confidence in the governorship ambition to what he described as Makinde’s impressive performance in Oyo State, arguing that the governor’s achievements provided a basis for continuity.
He expressed confidence that Makinde would replicate and surpass his achievements in Oyo State at the national level if elected president, while promising to build on the administration’s developmental programmes if elected governor.
“We are happy today and we thank God. We also thank our leader, Governor Makinde, because if he had not governed well, he would not have had the confidence to push for continuity. He has done well for the people of Oyo State. Beyond what he has achieved in the state, he now seeks to replicate these successes across Nigeria as President in 2027, and we pray that God grants him the fulfilment of that ambition,” Adekanmbi said.
Taking a swipe at the APC-led Federal Government, the APM candidate said Nigerians were experiencing economic hardship and insecurity, which he argued had worsened living conditions across the country.
He contrasted the situation with Makinde’s leadership in Oyo State, describing the governor as a leader capable of resetting Nigeria and delivering improved governance.
“Today, we have another leader in Governor Makinde who seeks to reset Nigeria by replicating the good things he has done in Oyo State. We pray that the Makinde/Daura project becomes a reality in January,” he added.
Adekanmbi commended the party’s candidates and members for their commitment, while appreciating the APM Apex Campaign Council and others who contributed to the organisation of the campaign flag-off.
He also urged Nigerians, particularly residents of Oyo State, to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them to participate actively in the forthcoming elections.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantale, expressed confidence in the party’s electoral prospects, describing Makinde as a pragmatic, proactive, intelligent and dynamic presidential candidate capable of leading Nigeria towards prosperity.
Dantale said Oyo State was fortunate to have credible candidates ahead of the 2027 elections, adding that Adekanmbi was suitably positioned to sustain the development initiatives of the Makinde administration.
The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, also urged party members to return to their respective wards and local government areas to canvass support for the party and its 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 the Makinde administration for its achievements in education, healthcare and other sectors. They called on residents and Nigerians to support the APM candidates at the polls.
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 student representative, Comrade Uthman Olawale, praised the administration for what they described as its inclusive policies and support for different segments of society.
They particularly acknowledged its financial assistance, empowerment initiatives, employment opportunities, payment of bursaries and interventions in the education sector, while pledging support for the party.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the APM Apex Campaign Council, Dr Nureni Adeniran, urged party members to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the campaign period and intensify efforts to secure widespread electoral support.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of party flags to Adekanmbi, his running mate and other candidates contesting various elective positions.
Those presented with flags included the party’s senatorial candidates for Oyo South, Oyo Central and Oyo North districts: Hon. Dhikrullahi Adedeji Olajide (Odidiomo), Hon. Ajadi Olufemi Oguntoyinbo and Hon. Shina Abiola Peller, respectively.
The party also presented flags to its 14 House of Representatives candidates and 32 House of Assembly candidates.
The rally was attended by 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 Elders Council, Dr Saka Balogun; commissioners; Chairman of Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon. Sikiru Sanda; and other party leaders and stakeholders.
