I have what it takes to be president in 2027 —Seyi Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that he possesses the capacity and credentials to occupy Nigeria’s highest political office, hinting at a possible presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Makinde, a two-term governor and prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated that the next presidential election would not merely be a contest between parties but a decisive face-off between the Nigerian people and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land and I have what it takes,” Makinde said. “But is that what Nigerians are asking for right now? Is it what my party will support? We don’t know yet; there’s still a long time to go.”

The governor also emphasized the need to first fix the PDP before any conversation about political ambitions can begin. “You must have a platform before you even aspire to be anything,” he added.

Makinde, however, stated that he is content with his political journey so far. “If my political journey ends here, I am also happy,” he said.

His comments come amid growing speculation and shifting alliances in preparation for the 2027 elections. Just weeks ago, PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, joined forces with key political figures including Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to form a new opposition coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu.

The coalition, launched on March 20, 2025, is leveraging the combined electoral strength of Atiku and Obi, who together polled over 12 million votes in 2023—more than four million above Tinubu’s winning total.

However, in a surprising twist, Makinde and some other PDP governors publicly rejected the idea of any mergers or coalitions. On Monday, April 14, 2025, they distanced themselves from the opposition alliance championed by Atiku, suggesting internal disagreements within the PDP regarding its 2027 strategy.

As the countdown to 2027 begins, Makinde’s bold declaration is expected to stir fresh debates within the PDP and the wider political landscape.