Makinde clinches APM presidential ticket

Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has been elected the APM presidential candidate and named former SSS Director-General Lawal Daura as his running mate.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has pledged to work with like-minded politicians to build a better Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections. Makinde, who was formally elected the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) on Thursday, said he was prepared to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty, which he attributed to poorly implemented policies in recent years.

Speaking at the party’s National Convention in Bauchi, Makinde said the location was significant because the city was the home state of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Makinde also named former State Security Service Director-General Lawal Musa Daura as his running mate, saying he was chosen to help address Nigeria’s security challenges.

The choice of Daura is significant. A former SSS boss brings security credentials to the ticket, but he is also a controversial figure from the Buhari era. The ticket is an attempt to balance regional and security interests, but it is also a long shot. The APM is a minor party, and Makinde’s journey to the presidency will be uphill.

This echoes the 2022 defections and party realignments, which also saw politicians switch parties ahead of elections. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a fragmented opposition.

The winners: Makinde, who has secured a presidential ticket; and the APM, which has gained a prominent candidate. The losers: the major parties, which face a divided opposition; and the Nigerian public, who must choose from a crowded field.

Bottom Line: Makinde is running for president. The ticket is unusual. The race is wide open. The question is whether he can build a coalition to challenge the ruling party.