Oyo State governor and the 2027 presidential candidate of Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has declared that Nigerians will shock the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the 2027 general elections.

He insisted that the forthcoming polls would be a contest between the ruling party and the Nigerian people. Makinde, who spoke on Saturday at the governorship campaign flag-off of the APM at Durbar Stadium, Oyo town, said Nigerians would demonstrate their position at the ballot box in a manner the APC had never witnessed before.

“This election is between APC and Nigerians. Nigerians will show them what they have never seen before. We shall all reap the benefits of APM,” the governor declared.

He expressed confidence in the prospects of APM in the forthcoming elections. He also congratulated the party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekambi, and his running mate, Muftau Open-Salawu as well as other candidates unveiled at the rally.

The governor also thanked God and the people of Oyo State for their support, expressing optimism about the party’s political journey ahead of 2027.

Makinde’s declaration came amid preparations by political parties for the next general elections, with the governor using the occasion to rally support for APM candidates and advocate continuity in Oyo State.

Earlier, APM National Chairman, Yusuf Danielle , described Makinde as a pragmatic leader, predicting that he would become Nigeria’s next president.

He said the governor enjoyed the acceptance of his people, adding that the call for him to seek higher political responsibility reflected the confidence they had in his leadership.

APM governorship candidate, Adekambi, said his candidacy was designed to sustain the achievements of the Makinde administration after the governor’s two terms in office.

He explained that Makinde had chosen him and his running mate and other candidates to ensure continuity in the state’s development programmes.

“Based on the good work of Governor Makinde over two terms as governor, he wants the job to continue and that is why he has chosen me and my deputy, as well as all other candidates as APM candidates in the next election,” he said.

He described the flag-off as the beginning of a major political journey towards the 2027 general elections.

Former Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, called on the people of the state to support Adekambi and other APM candidates, saying their emergence was an opportunity to sustain the achievements of the Makinde administration.

She described Makinde as the man capable of resetting Nigeria,. She also argued that his performance in the state had demonstrated his capacity for leadership at the national level.

She, however, lamented the poor condition of federal roads leading into Oyo town, describing their state as a major concern for residents.

The Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Oyo State chapter, Usman Olawale, in his goodwill message, commended Makinde for providing buses, donating vehicles to schools and introducing bursary support for students, urging the government to sustain the initiatives.

Chairman of registered youth bodies in Oyo State, Prince Adebowale Adebayo, also delivered a goodwill message at the event.

The high point of the rally was the presentation of the APM flags to all categories of the APM candidates, including governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly.

Dantalle presented the flags to the Oyo State APM chairman, Otunba Fagbemi Adegbenro, who subsequently handed it over to Adekambi and other candidates.

Deputy Governor of the state, Bayo Lawal, who delivered the vote of thanks, urged party members to return to their respective constituencies and mobilise support for APM ahead of the 2027 elections. (The Sun)