ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde is set to dramatically raise the stakes in the 2027 presidential race with plans to formally declare his ambition this week.
The announcement will happen during a major political rally expected to reshape opposition alignments in the South-West and beyond.
The governor is also expected to unveil a strategic political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples’ Movement as consultations intensify over the formation of a broader coalition ahead of the next general elections.
The rally, tagged “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026,” is scheduled to hold on May 14 at the historic Mapo Hall and is already generating fresh political tension within opposition circles.
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Sources familiar with the arrangements disclosed that the event is expected to serve as the official launch pad for Makinde’s anticipated presidential campaign, while also consolidating alliances among political actors dissatisfied with the current power structure within the PDP.
The latest development signals a major shift in Nigeria’s opposition politics as several influential figures continue to explore alternative political arrangements amid lingering internal disputes within the PDP at the national level.
Political insiders told Vanguard that preparations for the Ibadan rally have intensified in recent days, with grassroots mobilisation spreading across Oyo State and parts of the South-West.
Several support groups, loyalists and political associates aligned with Makinde are reportedly coordinating consultations aimed at building a stronger regional and national political structure ahead of 2027.
Observers believe the planned alliance with the APM may represent a broader political strategy designed to give Makinde greater negotiating power within the opposition bloc while also positioning him as a rallying figure for younger and reform-minded politicians.
The development comes at a period of growing uncertainty within the PDP, where unresolved leadership disputes and internal divisions have continued to trigger realignments among key stakeholders.
Sources close to the consultations revealed that many political actors loyal to Makinde had become increasingly uncomfortable with the direction of the party at the national level, forcing discussions around possible coalition options.
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The May 14 rally is expected to attract political stakeholders, youth groups, traditional supporters, community leaders and allies from different parts of the country, especially those sympathetic to Makinde’s governance style and rising national profile.
Although the governor has yet to publicly confirm his presidential ambition, pressure from loyalists and support groups has continued to mount in recent months.
The planned declaration is expected to further deepen the conversation around generational leadership change and the search for a formidable opposition figure capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
Political analysts say the Ibadan rally could mark the beginning of a wider opposition restructuring effort capable of reshaping political alliances across the country ahead of the next presidential election.