The Allied People’s Movement has described the outcome of the Osun State governorship election as a warning that President Bola Tinubu could lose the 2027 presidential election to its candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
The Punch reported that the party said Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory over the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in Saturday’s election demonstrated that voters could reject an established political party when dissatisfied with its performance.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abubakar, the APM said the result had exposed what it described as declining support for the APC and an increasing demand for a change of leadership at the federal level.
“The triumph of the people over the All Progressives Congress in Saturday’s governorship election in President Tinubu’s home state, Osun, not only foretastes the defeat that awaits President Tinubu in 2027 but also firmly establishes Makinde’s people-driven position that every political establishment seems unbeatable until the people decide otherwise,” the party said.
The APM also cited alleged booing of APC leaders, including governors and other political associates of Tinubu, during their departure from Osun State as another indication of growing dissatisfaction with the ruling party.
“Judging from the disposition of Nigerians as witnessed in the booing of APC leaders, President Tinubu and his party will struggle to command any genuine audience during the upcoming campaigns,” Abubakar said.
The party argued that continued economic hardship, insecurity and what it termed poor governance would make it difficult for the Tinubu administration to secure another term in office.
It further claimed that Makinde was gaining popularity among Nigerians because of his record in Oyo State, describing him as a competent and people-oriented leader.
“Nigerians are gravitating toward Seyi Makinde because they see in him the right presidential candidate with the desired track record of performance, practical blueprint, competence and youthful commitment to reset Nigeria to a nation of our collective dream,” the statement further read.
Makinde, who has been governor of Oyo State since 2019, is expected to complete his second term in 2027 and contest the presidential election on the APM platform.
The party said Makinde had demonstrated the ability to manage a larger political and economic constituency, pointing to what it described as the expansion of Oyo State’s economy under his administration.
It also referenced a visit by Sierra Leone President Julius Bio to Oyo State, saying the engagement showed that Makinde’s governance record was attracting attention beyond Nigeria.
The APM listed inflation, unemployment, insecurity, inadequate infrastructure and economic hardship among the challenges it said were responsible for growing dissatisfaction with the Federal Government.
“Of course, Nigerians can no longer continue to stomach the arrogance in failure, totalitarian proclivities, worsening insecurity and economic hardship that the Tinubu administration now represents,” the party said.
With political parties and presidential hopefuls already positioning themselves for the 2027 elections, the APM said the APC should not attempt to manipulate the presidential poll.
“Our party therefore cautions the APC to read the handwriting on the wall and perish any thoughts of rigging the 2027 presidential election, as any attempt to subvert the will of the people will be firmly resisted by Nigerians on the platform of the APM,” Abubakar said.
The party congratulated Nigerians over Adeleke’s victory in Osun, saying the result had reinforced its determination to challenge the APC in the 2027 presidential election.
It said it would lead what it described as a collective effort to “redeem our nation from the stranglehold of the APC” in January 2027.
