Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, may formally declare his presidential ambition during a political rally scheduled to hold at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area on Thursday.
The event, tagged “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026,” is expected to serve as the official launch of Makinde’s anticipated 2027 presidential bid.
The rally is also expected to witness the unveiling of a political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State.
Sources within the PDP disclosed that the event would feature the formal presentation of aspirants contesting state and national elective positions on the platform of the APM.
The development follows recent resignations by several political officeholders in Oyo State from the PDP to the APM, particularly those seeking elective offices in the 2027 elections.³
Among those expected to be unveiled are former Commissioner for Finance, Bimbo Adekanmbi, who is expected to emerge as the APM governorship candidate.
Others include Stanley Olajide, Olufemi Ajadi, and Shina Peller, who are expected to contest senatorial seats on the party’s platform.
House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates are also expected to be unveiled during the event.
Sources said the rally would be preceded by the signing of an alliance agreement between leaders of the APM and the Tanimu Turaki faction of the PDP.
A PDP source familiar with the arrangement said the alliance documents would be signed by representatives of both parties.
“We will sign forms of alliance with APM, involving its national chairman and our own side, led by Tanimu Turaki,” the source said.
“Governor Seyi Makinde will declare his presidential bid on the platform of the APM.”
Preparations for the rally have intensified, with political leaders and stakeholders from both camps expected to begin arriving in Ibadan on Wednesday.
Another source said the rally was expected to attract political stakeholders, youth groups, traditional supporters and allies from different parts of the country.
“Although the governor is yet to make an official public statement regarding his intention to contest the presidency in 2027, support groups and political associates have continued to intensify calls for him to join the race,” the source told The PUNCH.
According to insiders, grassroots mobilisation and consultations have intensified as part of a broader political strategy aimed at consolidating Makinde’s growing influence on the national stage.
The moves are also believed to be targeted at strengthening political structures across Oyo State and beyond ahead of the 2027 elections.
The latest development comes months after Makinde reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP following a January 2026 meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
At the time, the governor advocated a bipartisan approach to governance, especially on issues relating to insecurity and poverty.
He, however, clarified that bipartisanship did not amount to defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
1SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
-
NYSC: Deployment to states’ll be guided by risk assessment — TINUBU
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA— PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has said as part of the reform of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, corps members would now be deployed to security-challenged states, guided by risk assessment. He also reiterated that the scheme would be led by a civilian director-general and not military personnel as it…
-
Presidency exposes alleged fake Presidential Council
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas …Says police charged Self-styled DG with forgery The Presidency on Wednesday dismissed renewed claims by Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew that he was appointed to head a presidential agency, insisting he is an impostor who allegedly forged official documents to present himself as Director-General of a non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, also described as the…
-
Just in: Atiku appoints Kenneth Okonkwo as spokesperson
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed actor-turned-politician and ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo as his spokesperson. Okonkwo announced the appointment in a statement posted on his official X handle on Thursday, expressing appreciation to Atiku for the confidence reposed in him.…
