The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has claimed that the growing popularity and performance record of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, are causing concern within the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The party made the claim while criticising the exclusion of Makinde, its presidential candidate, from the flag-off ceremony of the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode federal road project.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the APM alleged that Makinde was deliberately kept away from the event because his presence could attract significant public attention and trigger comparisons between his record in Oyo State and that of the Federal Government.
The party said Makinde’s performance in road infrastructure, particularly in Oyo State, had demonstrated what it described as a different approach to governance.
“Governor Makinde has executed over 360 kilometres of roads in Oyo State alone, with more lined up for commissioning,” the APM said.
It challenged the Federal Government to provide a comparable record of completed road projects across the South-West since 2023.
According to the party, Makinde’s presence at the ceremony would have given Nigerians an opportunity to assess the performance of the Oyo governor against that of the Federal Government, particularly in infrastructure development.
The APM also alleged that the APC was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with Makinde’s growing influence beyond Oyo State and his engagements with governors, political leaders and other stakeholders on national issues.
It claimed that the governor’s participation in the event would have further drawn attention to his leadership style and expanding national political profile.
The party further suggested that concerns over Makinde’s rising popularity may have contributed to President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the ceremony.
The APM, however, said the development would not stop Nigerians from comparing the records of political leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.
It argued that political differences could not permanently prevent competition, insisting that the final decision would be made by voters at the polls.
“Tinubu and the APC cannot run from Governor Makinde forever. They must surely meet him at the poll in January 2027, where the will of millions of Nigerians who prefer Governor Makinde as the replacement for President Tinubu cannot be suppressed,” the party said.
The APM urged Nigerians to assess presidential contenders based on their records, competence and leadership capacity as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 election.
