The Allied People’s Movement (APM), Lagos State, says Oyo State Gov. Seyi Makinde, remains the most suitable  presidential candidate that can be presented by opposition coalition for the 2027 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Makinde is the APM Presidential Candidate in the 2027 elections.

In  a statement on Monday in Lagos by APM  State Publicity Secretary, Ayodele Kazeem, said Makinde possessed the leadership qualities, competence and national acceptability required to unite the opposition and provide Nigerians with a credible alternative.

According to him, APM’s position is based on Makinde’s leadership record, governance style and performance rather than political sentiment or convenience.

“APM Lagos firmly believes that if the opposition is truly committed to presenting the Nigerian people with a credible alternative in 2027, then Governor Seyi Makinde stands out as the most qualified, competent and unifying candidate to fly the banner of the coalition.

“This position is not driven by emotion or political convenience. It is based on leadership, competence, performance and national acceptability.

“Governor Makinde has, over the years, built a reputation as a leader who governs with prudence, transparency and measurable results.

“Under his administration, Oyo State has recorded significant investments in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and security while maintaining a reputation for improved fiscal management and economic growth.

“His administration has frequently presented itself as focusing on expanding the state’s economy and internally generated revenue through investment and infrastructure,” Kazeem said.

According to him, at this time, Nigerians need a president who truly  understands governance.

Kazeem said that Makinde had demonstrated that government could work for the people.

“He (Makinde) has consistently shown that public resources can be managed responsibly without unnecessary extravagance. He has proven that development can be driven by planning rather than propaganda.

“He has demonstrated that government can deliver visible projects while maintaining fiscal discipline.

“Beyond his performance in Oyo State, Makinde possesses qualities that make him uniquely qualified to unite the opposition.

“He enjoys goodwill across party lines. He commands respect among governors irrespective of political affiliation.”he said.

He described Makinde as a bridge-builder,who had built political relationships across regions.

According to him, Makinde’s calm disposition, listening ability and consensus-building approach are exactly what Nigeria requires after years of needless political tension and division.

“Unlike politicians whose appeal is restricted to one geographical region, Governor Makinde possesses the temperament and credibility to attract support across Nigeria.

“For the opposition coalition, electability is just as important as popularity. The coalition cannot afford to present a candidate who merely excites a section of the country but cannot build a national winning alliance.

“Makinde offers that balance. He represents generational leadership. He understands both the private and public sectors. He has executive experience

“He has demonstrated courage in taking difficult decisions while remaining accessible to the people”Kazeem said.

He pledged the party’s readiness to play a strategic role in mobilising support for the opposition coalition in Lagos State.

“The APM in Lagos is not merely participating in coalition discussions; it is actively building the structures required to translate public dissatisfaction into electoral victory,” he said.

According to him, APM’s governorshp candidate, Prince Laja Adeoye, has activated a strategic coordinating role in developing a robust grassroots mobilisation framework.

He said that this had been designed to contribute over five million votes to the coalition’s presidential victory across the 20 Local Government and 37 LCDAs in Lagos.

“The strategy focuses on strengthening polling-unit structures across Lagos, expanding volunteer networks, mobilising young voters, women and professionals, intensifying voter registration and PVC collection campaigns.

“We are also deploying digital campaign platforms, recruiting and training election agents, and engaging community-based organisations, market associations, transport unions and faith-based groups.

“This is not a campaign built around personalities but around restoring hope to Nigerians through issue-based politics,” he said.

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, says President Bola Tinubu has ‘defeated himself’ ahead of the 2027 general election.

Featuring in an interview on ‘Sunday Politics.’ a programme on Channels Television, Adebayo stated that the Tinubu administration is outgoing, noting that it was only waiting to complete its four-year term.

According to him, the administration had failed to tackle poverty, insecurity and governance challenges confronting the nation, saying its performance had undermined the purpose of government.

The presidential candidate urged Nigerians to focus on national issues rather than political personalities as campaigns gather momentum.

He explained that his priority was uniting Nigerians, not merely forming an opposition coalition.

He maintained that the outcome of the 2027 election would ultimately depend on voter participation and confidence in the electoral process.

“With all these insecurity, hunger and bad economy, President Tinubu has already defeated himself. His administration is outgoing,” Adebayo said.

Ahead of the August 15 2026 governorship election, Accord Party has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies to remain neutral, impartial and provide a level playing field to all parties participating in the poll.

Accord advised the electorate not to mortgage their future for a plate of electoral porridge in the form of vote buying and financial inducements, insisting that every vote must be counted.

The party said the coming governorship election is the litmus test of the electoral umpire’s readiness for the 2027 general elections, adding that all eyes are on the Commission to conduct a free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive election.

Accord said there should be no excuse for poor performance, since it has enough time to prepare for the exercise.

“Accord urges INEC and security agencies to take their statutory responsibilities seriously by remaining neutral and impartial before, during and after the election,” a statement signed Barr. Maxwell Mgbudem, the party’s National Chairman, said.

“The sanctity of the ballot box is what gives credibility to an election and bolsters public confidence in the democratic process. Stakeholders must protect and safeguard it in national interest.

“Every vote must be counted and counts in the overall result, and the people’s wish, will and mandate respected by all stakeholders.”

Accord urged “citizens not to mortgage their future for a mess of electoral porridge in whatever form of vote buying or inducements. No serious political party or candidate will indulge in reprehensible vote trading.”

Accord said it is cruising to a landslide victory supported by voters who want continuity of Adeleke’s transformative leadership.

It added, “To INEC as the electoral umpire, the Osun governorship poll is a litmus test of its readiness for the 2027 general election. There should be no excuse for poor performance, including any form of glitches.

“The commission should put its act together, adequately test-run its electoral materials to ensure they are in good condition, bearing in mind that all eyes are on the commission to conduct a free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive election. 

“The integrity of INEC is at stake. It has another opportunity to redeem its image and justify the confidence Nigerians reposed in it.”