Makinde meets APM gov candidates, targets strong South-West base for 2027
By Adejayan Gbenga
Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Seyi Makinde, has intensified efforts to position the party as a major political force in the South-West ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The presidential candidate on Monday met with the APM governorship candidates from the region as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s structures and coordinate its grassroots mobilisation strategy across the six South-West states.
The meeting was attended by the party’s Oyo governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi; Lagos candidate, Prince Laja Adeoye; Ogun candidate, TPL Rotimi Babajide; and the APM governorship candidate in Osun State.
The discussions focused on greater coordination among candidates, strengthening grassroots structures and developing a common strategy capable of supporting both Makinde’s presidential ambition and the party’s candidates at the state level.
According to reports, Makinde is targeting Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo for intensified mobilisation, with the objective of building a coordinated regional political network ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governor emerged as the APM presidential candidate after winning the party’s primary in Ibadan. He had earlier announced his decision to seek the presidency on the platform of APM in May 2026 following the prolonged crisis and legal challenges within the Peoples Democratic Party.
Since emerging as the APM candidate, Makinde has engaged political stakeholders beyond the South-West in an effort to broaden his national coalition. So far, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has publicly endorsed his presidential ambition, while APM members in Osun have also declared support for his candidacy.
The latest meeting underscores the APM’s attempt to build a stronger regional structure and translate Makinde’s presidential campaign into grassroots support. With political activities intensifying ahead of 2027, the party’s ability to mobilise voters and establish competitive structures across the South-West will be crucial to its electoral prospects.
