Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) has held a strategic meeting with the party’s governorship candidates in the South-West geopolitical zone as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The meeting, held in the early hours of Monday, brought together APM governorship candidates including Bimbo Adekanmbi of Oyo State, Prince Laja Adeoye of Lagos State, TPL Rotimi Babajide of Ogun State and the party’s candidate in Osun State.
Discussions at the meeting centred on strengthening the party’s structures, coordinating grassroots mobilisation and developing strategies to expand the APM’s electoral presence across the region ahead of the 2027 elections.
New Telegraph recalls that Makinde emerged as the APM presidential candidate after securing the party’s ticket at its presidential primary held in Ibadan.
In his acceptance speech, the governor said his presidential bid would focus on restoring hope, rebuilding public confidence and implementing practical reforms in critical sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, agriculture and other productive sectors.
He had earlier announced his decision to pursue the presidency on the APM platform in May 2026, citing internal crises and unresolved legal challenges within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as factors behind the decision to move his political structure and candidates to the APM.
Since his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate, Makinde has received endorsements and expressions of support from political groups and stakeholders.
The Lagos chapter of the APM, for instance, endorsed him as its preferred consensus opposition candidate, citing his administration’s record in infrastructure, healthcare, education and fiscal management in Oyo State.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has also publicly endorsed Makinde’s presidential ambition, while members of the APM in Osun State have affirmed their support for his candidacy.
The party has further claimed growing interest from groups and political actors across party lines who are seeking a platform capable of providing a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
At Monday’s meeting, the party’s leadership and candidates reportedly placed particular emphasis on consolidating the APM’s presence in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.
The strategy is aimed at building strong grassroots structures and turning the South-West into a major electoral base for the party, while simultaneously expanding its reach across other geopolitical zones.
The mobilisation drive comes amid continuing public concerns over the state of the Nigerian economy and the impact of reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira have contributed to higher living costs and increased economic pressure on households, with inflation and insecurity remaining major concerns for many Nigerians.
While the Federal Government has pointed to improvements in areas such as foreign reserves, stock market performance and economic growth as evidence of emerging macroeconomic stability, critics maintain that the gains have yet to translate into significant relief for ordinary Nigerians.
Supporters of Makinde have consequently continued to promote his record as a two-term governor of Oyo State, arguing that his administration’s emphasis on infrastructure, practical governance and service delivery demonstrates the capacity to provide an alternative approach at the national level.
They contend that Makinde’s emphasis on competence, practical solutions and people-centred governance could strengthen the APM’s appeal as the party positions itself as a vehicle for a national political reset.
The latest meeting is part of the APM’s broader preparations for the 2027 elections, with the party expected to intensify its nationwide campaign and grassroots mobilisation in line with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
