Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that he is qualified to lead Nigeria as President in the 2027 general elections, amid growing speculation about his political future. Speaking at a media briefing with select journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, Makinde cited his extensive administrative experience, professional background and public service credentials as clear evidence of his capacity for the nation’s highest office.
“Let me make this very clear: to serve this country at the highest level, I am qualified, I’m even overqualified,” the governor said, underlining his confidence in his suitability for the presidency. He pointed to his tenure as a two-term governor as part of his qualification credentials. “I ran Oyo State; even the current president, what brought him to the table? He was governor of Lagos State for two terms. By the end of May 2027, by God’s grace and God sparing my life, I will have completed the full tenure as a two-term governor of Oyo State,” Makinde added, highlighting the importance of executive experience in national leadership.
Makinde also drew attention to his career outside politics, saying his professional background further equips him for the presidency. “Professionally, I ran a company from a very young age. At 29, some of my colleagues were still finishing their youth service. I ran the company, and people can go out there and check, I did not go to NNPC or the likes. I was working for multinational oil companies, including Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron,” he said, portraying his business acumen and leadership skills as assets that would translate well into national governance.
Despite his strong assertion of qualification, Makinde was cautious about firmly committing to a presidential run. He emphasised that it is still too early in the political calendar to make a definitive declaration about contesting in 2027, urging Nigerians and political stakeholders alike to consider the broader needs of the country’s democracy before anchoring hopes on any one figure.
The governor criticised what he described as a trend of political realignment and defections, warning that such moves do not always reflect the genuine desires of the electorate or strengthen democratic practice. “Governors are defecting from one party to the other, but have hunger and anger in the land also defected?” he asked rhetorically, alluding to socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians.
Makinde’s remarks come at a time of intense political jockeying within Nigeria’s major parties. Other commentators and political figures have weighed in on his potential presidential credentials, with some within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describing him as a capable candidate to fly the party’s flag in 2027. At the same time, speculation and debate continue within the PDP and across the political landscape about how best to position the party to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s elections, further underscoring the high-stakes environment in which Makinde’s statements were made.
As Nigeria approaches its next national polls, Makinde’s assertion of qualification tempered with strategic caution, adds a significant voice to the evolving conversation around leadership, experience, and democratic choice on the national stage.
