Local government officials across Oyo State have called on Governor Seyi Makinde to join the 2027 presidential race, citing his transformational leadership and governance record as key reasons Nigeria needs his kind of leadership at the national level.
The appeal was made on Tuesday during a solidarity rally held at the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan. The rally was attended by hundreds of political appointees, including secretaries to local governments, chiefs of staff to council chairmen, supervisory councillors, and special assistants from all 33 local government areas of the state.
The event was officially acknowledged in a statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
The crowd of supporters was received on behalf of Governor Makinde by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, at the Governor’s Office, where chants and placards urged the governor to “take the Oyo model to Nigeria.”
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Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Mr Ayodeji Oladepo, Chairman of the Oyo State Supervisory Councillors’ Forum, praised Makinde’s achievements, describing him as a leader of “exceptional vision and capacity.”
“Governor Makinde has transformed Oyo State in ways we never imagined. From education and infrastructure to health and economic development, he has raised the bar. Nigeria needs this kind of leadership,” Oladepo stated.
He added that the forum was ready to begin early mobilisation and grassroots support to back a Makinde 2027 presidential bid.
In response, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal expressed appreciation for the show of solidarity and affirmed that the governor would be informed of their request.
“Governor Makinde has significantly raised the standard of governance in Oyo State, and there is no doubt that he would bring his excellent performance to bear on national leadership,” Lawal said.
“The choice is entirely the governor’s, but I have told them their message will be delivered. At the appropriate time, the governor will respond to the yearnings and callings of the people.”
Speaking to journalists after the event, the deputy governor admitted he was surprised by the scale of the turnout, describing the crowd as “lively, enthusiastic and full of hope.”
Governor Seyi Makinde, who is currently serving his second term as governor of Oyo State under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has not publicly declared interest in the 2027 presidency. However, today’s rally adds to growing speculation about his possible national political ambitions.
