Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State declared his intention to run for president in 2027 on Thursday, using a rally in Ibadan to push for a united opposition front ahead of the election.
Makinde made the announcement at a mega rally where he also unveiled an alliance between opposition parties. He framed the presidential bid as part of a broader push to reposition Nigeria and strengthen democratic governance after years of what the opposition has characterised as mismanagement under the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The governor's declaration comes as the opposition Peoples Democratic Party begins positioning itself for the 2027 race. Makinde, who has governed Oyo State since 2019, is among the prominent PDP figures being discussed as potential presidential candidates. His call for collaboration among opposition parties suggests he sees a consolidated opposition challenge as necessary to defeat the APC in the general election.
The timing of Makinde's announcement places him among the early movers in what is expected to be a crowded field of aspirants within the PDP. Other governors and senior party figures have also been mentioned as interested in the top job. The rally in Ibadan, Makinde's home base and the centre of his political strength, allowed him to mobilise his supporters and signal his seriousness to the party hierarchy.
Makinde's emphasis on opposition unity reflects a strategic calculation that the PDP alone may struggle against the APC without presenting a strong, unified candidate and campaign message. His call for stronger collaboration among opposition parties could be an attempt to position himself as a unifying figure who can bridge the fault lines that have historically weakened the opposition.
