As speculation over his interest in Nigeria’s presidency continues to gain momentum, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that he is qualified to lead the country.
Makinde made the remark on Tuesday while responding to questions from a select group of journalists during a media parley in Ibadan, Oyo State. He anchored his assertion on his experience as a two-term governor and his professional background as an engineer.
“Let me make this very clear: to serve this country at the highest level, I am qualified — I’m even overqualified,” Governor Makinde said.
Drawing a comparison with the current president, he added, “I ran Oyo State, even the current president — what brought him to the table? He was governor of Lagos State for two terms. By the end of May 2027, by God’s grace and God sparing my life, I will have completed the full tenure as a two-term governor of Oyo State.”
The governor further highlighted his private-sector experience, noting that he began running a company at a young age.
“Professionally, I ran a company from a very young age. At 29, some of my colleagues were still finishing their youth service. I ran the company, and people can go out there and check — I did not go to NNPC or the likes. I was working for multinational oil companies, including Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron,” he said.
Despite the growing political chatter, Makinde maintained that it is too early to focus on the 2027 presidential election, with more than one year left before Nigerians head to the polls.
According to him, Nigerians desire a viable democracy anchored on strong opposition parties. He criticised the ongoing defection of governors and other prominent politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that such moves are unhealthy for the country’s democratic growth.
Makinde, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is currently serving his second and final term as governor of Oyo State. Although he supported President Bola Tinubu of the APC in the 2023 presidential election, the governor said he would not repeat that decision.
He disclosed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, his former ally who also backed Tinubu in 2023, had openly pledged support for the president ahead of 2027.
“I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike, and others when Wike volunteered to hold the PDP for Tinubu against 2027, and I was in shock,” Makinde said. “Wike can support the president in 2027, but I will not.”
According to the governor, his immediate concern is the survival of the PDP, which has witnessed significant depletion in its ranks following the defection of several members, including governors and lawmakers.
