As conversations around his possible presidential ambition continue to intensify, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said he possesses the experience and capacity required to lead Nigeria at the highest level.
The governor made the remarks on Tuesday during a media interaction with a small group of journalists in Ibadan, where he addressed growing public interest in his political future and the direction of the opposition. Makinde anchored his confidence on his years of governance in the South-West state and his professional background as an engineer and entrepreneur.
“Let me make this very clear: to serve this country at the highest level, I am qualified, I’m even overqualified,” Governor Makinde told the gathering. He compared his political journey with that of the current president, noting that both had served two terms as governors before being widely considered for national leadership.
“I ran Oyo State, even the current president, what brought him to the table? He was governor of Lagos State for two terms. By the end of May 2027, by God’s grace and God sparing my life, I will have completed the full tenure as a two-term governor of Oyo State.”
Makinde also reflected on his professional career, stressing that his leadership credentials extend beyond politics. According to him, he built a successful engineering firm at a relatively young age, working with major multinational oil companies rather than relying on government patronage.
He said, “Professionally, I ran a company from a very young age. At 29, some of my colleagues were still finishing their youth service. I ran the company, and people can go out there and check, I did not go to NNPC or the likes. I was working for multinational oil companies, including Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron.”
Despite the rising speculation, the governor maintained that discussions about the 2027 presidential election remain premature. He argued that Nigeria’s immediate need is a healthy democracy supported by strong and credible opposition parties. Makinde criticised the wave of defections by governors and other influential politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress, warning that such movements weaken democratic balance.
The Oyo State governor, who belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party and is serving his final term in office, acknowledged that although he supported President Bola Tinubu of the APC in the 2023 election, he does not intend to repeat that decision. He distanced himself from his former ally, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who has openly declared support for Tinubu ahead of 2027.
“I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike, and others when Wike volunteered to hold the PDP for Tinubu against 2027, and I was in shock,” the governor said during the media chat. “Wike can support the president in 2027, but I will not.”
Makinde concluded by stressing that his immediate focus is ensuring the survival and rebuilding of the PDP, which has suffered significant losses following the defection of several governors, lawmakers and party leaders in recent months.
What you should know
Governor Seyi Makinde is positioning himself as a credible national figure amid growing speculation about the 2027 presidency.
While stopping short of formally declaring his ambition, he argues that his two-term governorship, private-sector background and governance record qualify him for higher responsibility. At the same time, Makinde is distancing himself from President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike ahead of the next election cycle.
His comments also reflect broader concerns within the opposition about party defections, weakened democratic competition and the urgent need to rebuild the Peoples Democratic Party as a viable alternative ahead of future elections.
