Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Thursday declared interest to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM).
The governor made the announcement at a grand mega rally in Ibadan to unveil an alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APM. He also disclosed the formation of a new group named “Reset Nigeria Movement” aimed at resetting the country.
The rally at the ancient Mapo Hall drew a massive turnout of PDP and APM supporters and political stakeholders. Major roads leading to the venue were heavily congested as supporters in party-branded outfits and carrying banners and flags gathered for the event.
Makinde said the APM, as a national party, would field candidates for all available offices in the forthcoming election. He described the alliance as a response to alleged meddling in opposition parties aimed at turning Nigeria into a one-party state.
He lamented that events in the political space over the last two years showed the foundation of democracy was being weakened as the opposition was being pushed to the wall.
“The situation in the country calls for the unity of the opposition,” he said. “The opposition parties remain collectively determined to protect the nation’s democracy.”
“We have found ourselves at a point in our political history where the very foundation of democracy is being shaken. We have witnessed the continuous meddling in the affairs of opposition parties, with the aim of taking Nigeria to a one-party system. Without a multi-party system, there is no democracy,” Makinde stated.
He added that the economic and security situations had continued to deteriorate, putting most Nigerians in survival mode daily.
“For the opposition political parties, this is the time to unite, one party at a time. This is what PDP and APM are doing right now. It is the time to walk in unity to give our nation the result that it needs,” he said.
“Today, history is being made; I pronounce today the birth of Reset Nigeria Movement. The time to reset Nigeria is now. And so today, in Ibadan, the first grand alliance is formed. The alliance of PDP and APM, this handshake will allow us field candidates at all levels. We will field candidates from top to bottom.”
“Therefore today, I, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, announce my candidacy for the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle; member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Alli Odefa; and the National Secretary of the APM, Oyadeyi Ayodele, lauded Makinde’s developmental strides in Oyo State and described the alliance as a mission to restore the country’s democratic values.
“We are determined to restore the pride of Nigerians and deepen democracy in this country,” Dantalle said.
Former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, accused the ruling party at the national level of failing to fulfill its promises to Nigerians.
“The failure of the ruling party to meet the expectations of Nigerians is responsible for this alliance. Nigerians deserve better leadership,” Oyinlola stated.
The Oyo State Chairman of the PDP, Dayo Ogungbenro, expressed confidence that the coalition would produce Nigeria’s next president and secure victories for candidates contesting under the alliance.
Earlier in the day, leaders of both parties formally signed and presented a Memorandum of Understanding at the PDP South-West Secretariat, Soji Adagunodo House, along Old Ife Road in Ibadan.