Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has declared that the 2027 general elections will serve as a referendum on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing confidence that Nigerians will vote out the party and deliver a nationwide victory to the APM.
Makinde made the assertion on Saturday, November 14, 2026, during the official flag-off of the APM Presidential and Governorship Campaign at the Durbar Stadium in Oyo town, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
Addressing thousands of party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters, the governor congratulated the APM governorship candidate in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, alongside other flagbearers, noting that residents had embraced the party and would vote overwhelmingly for its candidates in the January 16 and February 6, 2027 polls.
Makinde maintained that the choice before the electorate is clear, adding that Nigerians are determined to use their votes to demand good governance, economic prosperity, and continuity. He urged party members not to be intimidated, charging them to return to their wards and local government areas to intensify grassroots mobilisation.
In his remarks, Adekanmbi stated that Makinde’s developmental track record in Oyo State provided the momentum for his presidential bid and the foundation for continuity in the state. He expressed confidence that the governor would replicate and surpass his state-level achievements across Nigeria if elected president.
‘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,’ Adekanmbi said.
‘Four years ago, someone promised to make Nigeria better for its citizens. Today, however, we have seen the opposite. Things are difficult everywhere. There is insecurity, and there appears to be no effective plan to lift people out of poverty. 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.’
Adekanmbi also urged residents of Oyo State and Nigerians nationwide to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to participate effectively in the upcoming elections.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantale, described Makinde as a pragmatic, proactive, and dynamic leader with the capacity to steer Nigeria toward prosperity, while affirming that Adekanmbi possesses the competence to sustain Oyo State’s developmental trajectory.
Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, alongside the Chairman of the APM Apex Campaign Council, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, called on party faithful to conduct peaceful campaigns and mobilise massive voter turnout across all wards.
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’s strides in education and healthcare, urging the electorate to back APM candidates at all levels.
Similarly, representatives of key interest groups—including the Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekeen Abass; Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ajibola Hassan (represented by Comrade Mustapha); representative of Persons Living with Disabilities, Mr. Moshood Olaiya; and student leader, Comrade Uthman Olawale—lauded the administration’s inclusive policies, bursary payments, and empowerment programmes, pledging their support for the party.
The highlight of the rally was the formal presentation of party flags to the governorship candidate, his running mate, and the three APM senatorial candidates in the state: Hon. Dhikrullahi Adedeji Olajide (Oyo South), Hon. Ajadi Olufemi Oguntoyinbo (Oyo Central), and Hon. Shina Abiola Peller (Oyo North), as well as the party’s 14 House of Representatives and 32 House of Assembly candidates.
Dignitaries at the event included former Deputy Governor, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Bashorun Akinwole Akinwale; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi; Chairman of the Elders Council, Dr. Saka Balogun; Chairman of Local Government Chairmen in the state, Hon. Sikiru Sanda; and members of the State Executive Council.
