Ibadan – Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election is fundamentally different from previous contests.
This was as he urged members of the newly inaugurated Apex Campaign Committee of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State to build an inclusive campaign structure that accommodates both long-standing APM members and new entrants into the party.
Speaking during the inauguration of the committee on Friday in the Courtesy Room of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, the Makinde described the apex body as the highest coordinating organ of the campaign architecture.
He explained further that its immediate responsibility would be to constitute a broad-based campaign council capable of leading the party to victory in the 2027 elections.
According to him, the committee is not the campaign council itself but the foundation upon which the entire campaign machinery would be built.
“What we are inaugurating today is the apex of the campaign structure, not the campaign council.
“This is the highest coordinating body. Its responsibility is to reach out to our leaders and stakeholders and put together a campaign council that will drive our campaign for the 2027 general election,” he said.
Makinde announced the appointment of the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, as Director-General of the Oyo State Governorship Campaign Council and Oyo State Coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Organisation.
He also named Hon. Saheed Arowosaye as Deputy Director-General for the Presidential Campaign and Deputy State Coordinator in the state, while Dr. Femi Ojo was assigned to Deputy Director General for Oyo Central senatorial district, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters; Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabor (RAD) was announced as the Deputy Director General for the women wing, while Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa was named Deputy Director General for youth wing.
The governor stressed that members of the committee must move swiftly to unite the political structure inherited from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with the existing structure of the APM across the state.
Describing the assignment as one of the most important responsibilities before the committee, Makinde warned against sidelining members who had remained loyal to the APM before the influx of new political actors.
“We have our political structure, but they own the platform. We must give them the respect they deserve.
“When nobody wanted anything to do with the APM, they stayed with the party. Today, we must ensure that our structure and the party platform are fully integrated,” he said.
He urged the committee to avoid creating divisions that could weaken the party, insisting that the campaign must reflect unity and inclusiveness.
“Don’t make the APM another PDP. We must carry everyone along and build a united front for the elections,” he cautioned.
Makinde explained that the decision to adopt the APM platform followed extensive consultations with political leaders after it became apparent that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could no longer provide the political platform required for participation in the 2027 elections.
According to him, recent political developments have vindicated that decision.
“We consulted widely before moving into the APM because it became obvious that the PDP was not going to be ready as a platform for us to contest the general election.
“Today, those claiming to remain in the PDP have already made their position clear by declaring support for the APC,” he stated.
The governor maintained that Nigeria’s democracy would only thrive where there are credible political alternatives for electorate, arguing that the country’s founding fathers envisioned a truly federal system supported by a vibrant multi-party democracy.
He said the APM now represents a genuine alternative for Nigerians seeking a credible political platform rather than what he described as “an illusion of choice.”
“Our founding fathers stood for federalism and multi-party democracy. We cannot allow a situation where one political party merely becomes an appendage of another.
“Nigerians deserve genuine political choices, and that is what we intend to offer through the APM,” Makinde declared.
He noted that time was already running out before the commencement of campaign activities, urging members of the apex body to immediately embark on consultations across the state’s 33 local government areas and wards.
With the official campaign expected to begin in mid-August, the governor said the committee had only a few days to harmonise party structures, mobilise stakeholders and ensure that every member of the political family was carried along.
“You have very little time. Go across the state, bring all our people together, integrate them with the existing APM members and prepare a formidable campaign organisation,” he charged.
Makinde formally inaugurated the Apex Campaign Committee inaugurated and expressed confidence that its members possess the experience, integrity and political capacity required to deliver victory in the 2027 general election.
In attendance were the APM Governorship and Deputy, Bimbo Adekanbi and Muftau Open Salawu, Secretary to the state government; Professor Musibaudeen Babatunde, top government officials and political leaders.
