Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said he possesses the capacity and competence to occupy the highest office in Nigeria, signaling growing interest in a possible 2027 presidential bid.
“I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land, and I have what it takes,” Makinde said during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Tuesday.
While he stopped short of declaring an official ambition, the two-term governor is increasingly seen as a key figure in the emerging debate over the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its choice of a southern candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the next general election.
Makinde emphasized that the upcoming 2027 contest would be less about partisan rivalry and more about national direction. “It’s going to be between Nigerians and the APC,” he said, positioning himself as a voice of reform within the PDP.
Still, he acknowledged the internal fractures plaguing the party, stating bluntly, “PDP must fix itself before anyone can aspire to be anything.” His remarks come amid renewed party turbulence, following the rejection by PDP governors of a proposed coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Makinde distanced himself from the merger talks, asserting that while individuals have the right to associate, the party’s official stance remains clear: “Your house must be in order before you invite others.”
Though speculation around his potential candidacy continues to build, Makinde remains circumspect. “Nobody will set an agenda for me. I will set my own,” he said, adding that his current priority remains governing Oyo State effectively.
“I am not distracted. I won’t play stunt politics or do things just because they sound right to some people. If I want to contest, I will come out at the appropriate time.”
He concluded with a statement that underscored his measured approach to leadership and ambition: “One thing you should expect from Seyi Makinde is that he would never come out to say, ‘I want to do XYZ,’ without preparation or the willingness to be held accountable.”
