Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has expressed confidence in his party's prospects in the 2027 general elections. He made this statement at the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Mega Concert held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan. The event saw the defection of hundreds of loyalists of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the APM. Makinde described the defection as a demonstration of growing support for the APM.
The defectors, led by Ajiboye Sangogade, a personal assistant to Adelabu, were welcomed into the APM by Makinde. The event, themed "Young, United, Unstoppable," featured performances by Fuji artistes, including Taye Currency and Tiri Leather. Makinde predicted a landslide victory for the APM in the 2027 general elections, citing the defection of APC members as a sign of the party's growing popularity. He claimed that the APM's victory was only a matter of time.
Makinde challenged the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, to focus his campaign on the APM candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, rather than criticising his administration. He encouraged Alli to convince the people of Oyo to support him despite the hardship brought upon them by his party. Makinde also defended Adekanmbi's professional credentials, highlighting his qualifications as a graduate of Accounting and a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
In a comparison of professional credentials, Makinde contrasted Adekanmbi's qualifications with those of Alli. He mentioned that he himself is an engineer and a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. Makinde questioned Alli's recognition in his own profession, stating that Alli is not a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. This was part of Makinde's response to criticism over the use of diesel generators to power streetlights in Oyo State.
Makinde linked the use of diesel generators to power streetlights to the country's unresolved electricity challenges. He referenced Alli's previous statement that he would fix Nigeria's electricity problem within his first four years as a leader. Makinde implied that if Alli had fulfilled this promise, the state would not be relying on diesel generators for streetlights.
The governor urged APM supporters to intensify their mobilisation efforts for the party's candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections. He expressed confidence in the party's ability to win massively in all elections. The event was attended by APM candidates and government officials, who witnessed the defection of Adelabu's loyalists.
The defection of Adelabu's loyalists to the APM is seen as a significant boost to the party's chances in the 2027 general elections. With Makinde at the helm, the APM is expected to mount a strong challenge to the APC and other parties. The party's prospects will be closely watched in the coming months as the election season heats up.
Key points
- Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde predicts a massive victory for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the 2027 general elections.
- Hundreds of loyalists of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the APM.
- Makinde challenged APC governorship candidate Sharafadeen Alli to focus on the APM candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, rather than criticising his administration.
