Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Friday, June 6, 2025, gave a strong indication that he may be nursing the ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), possibly challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He made this known while playing host to Muslim faithful, alongside traditional rulers and political office holders in his Ikolaba private residence in Ibadan, the state capital, shortly after the Eid-el-Kabir prayers.
Makinde dropped the hint while receiving Muslim faithful, alongside traditional rulers and political office holders in his Ikolaba private residence in Ibadan, the state capital, shortly after the Eid-el-Kabir prayers. The delegation was led by the state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal.
Others included the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; former state Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman, Taofeek Arapaja; former deputy governors, Hazeem Gbolarumi and Hamid Gbadamosi; member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Abass Adigun Agboworin; and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Dawodu Makanjuola.
During the visit, while Makinde informed his guests about whether he is nursing the ambition to contest 2027 presidential election, Oba Ladoja remarked that it was no longer news that Governor Makinde harbours presidential ambitions.
Responding, Makinde acknowledged the speculation but emphasised his current commitment to governance in Oyo State.
“I want to use this opportunity to clarify. There is a lot of information on social and mainstream media suggesting that I want to contest the 2027 presidential election. The truth is, it is not good to be distracted from the work I’m doing. We still have quite a lot of work to do for our people,” Makinde said.
The governor also advocated a single term of five or six years for elected political office holders across all levels of government in Nigeria, against the current two term of four years each.
He explained that a single term of five or six years is enough for any government to focus and serve the people and deliver on its mandate, hence called for a constitutional amendment to effect this.
He noted, “We were happy to receive Muslim leaders in Oyo State who paid us a courtesy visit after Eid prayers today. Let me again, commend the good people of Oyo State who have been living peacefully among each other despite our religious differences. Once again, I wish everyone, Eid Mubarak!”
