A campaign has started to persuade Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The campaign, led by a group called “Progressive Youth for Makinde Presidency 2027” in Ibadan, has been gaining momentum since June this year.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described those behind the campaign as clowns who lack the ability to drive such an ambition.
Governor Makinde’s spokesperson, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, declined to comment on the matter.
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State has described the campaign as assumption, stating that Makinde has not informed anyone that he is contesting the 2027 presidential election.
According to Saturday PUNCH, the individuals behind the campaign created a Facebook and X account, “Makinde for President 2027”, in June. The Facebook account was created on June 17, while the X account was opened on June 3.
One of Makinde’s supporters on the Facebook account, Olamilekan Kehinde, claimed that the governor is fit for the presidency compared to President Bola Tinubu. “Governor Seyi Makinde has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and a commitment to good governance, making him fit for the presidency of Nigeria compared to the current President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu”, said Kehinde.
An individual from Ibadan, known as “Otunba @ManLikeIcey” on X, had also declared on January 15, 2024 that Makinde would contest the presidency in 2027. Saturday PUNCH observed that the handlers of the X account have mentioned Makinde on his verified handle in some of their tweets.
In a tweet on July 11, the handlers of the account mentioned Makinde in a tweet titled “2027: Why Governor Makinde is a better choice for Nigerians over President Bola Tinubu”. The “Makinde for President 2027” account has also been retweeting and liking Governor Makinde’s tweets since its creation.
However, PDP’s Publicity Secretary in Oyo State, Michael Ogunsina, stated that Makinde has not discussed anything concerning his 2027 presidential ambition with anyone. On the other hand, APC’s Publicity Secretary in Oyo State, Wasiu Sadare, said that Makinde has the constitutional right to contest for president and wished him luck if he decides to run.
Sadare added that if Makinde were to contest, it would be within his right to aspire to be President and that they would expose him once he starts his mobilization efforts. For now, they see those behind the project as clowns who lack the ability to drive such an ambition.
