Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde
Nigeria’s politics is a compelling paradox, and the paradoxes continue even as the countdown to the 2027 elections draws nearer. The Allied Peoples Movement (APM), one of the growing opposition political parties in the country, and its teeming army of supporters across the nation are working tirelessly to ensure that they roadblock the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its flagbearer, President Bola Tinubu, from returning to power.
Today, Nigeria is being confronted with the worst level of insecurity and economic hardship since Independence under the watch of the present administration. Yet, the incumbent desperately wants a second term, while the opposition political parties think otherwise. It is against this backdrop that the 2027 political space continues to be shaped by theatrical fallouts, high-tech politicking, and labyrinthine intrigues, heating up the polity.
Sadly, this uncertainty has crept into one of the major opposition political parties, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), ahead of the 2027 general election, as a coalition of party stakeholders from the Northern geopolitical zone are rooting for Bauchi State-born politician and development economist, Dr. Ibrahim Waziri, as their preferred presidential candidate. This comes in total disregard of the political permutations favouring the candidacy of a Southerner and incumbent Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, thereby setting the stage for a battle royale for the APM ticket.
It is reliably gathered that stakeholders from most northern states are of the opinion that support for the candidacy of Waziri will boost the party’s electoral fortunes and support base across the 19 northern states and other geopolitical zones come 2027. This permutation significantly enhances Waziri’s chances of securing the party’s nomination as its flagbearer.
It is also believed that Waziri enjoys wider national acceptance and stronger political networks than other aspirants, Makinde inclusive. Makinde’s support is said to be largely restricted to Oyo and Osun states, where he was initially projected as the APM presidential candidate by some groups perceived not to represent the broader thinking of the party and its stakeholders.
Waziri is from Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State and played active roles during the aborted Third Republic as a staunch member of the then Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN), where he emerged as the party’s governorship candidate.
He was also a prominent voice during the historic 1993 Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential primaries in Jos, which produced the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola as the party’s flagbearer.
A thorough grassroots politician with decades of political experience, Waziri is, beyond politics, one of the pioneers of indigenous computer and telecommunications businesses in Nigeria.
He studied Political Economy, Accounting, Software and Data Processing in the United States and holds a doctorate degree in Political Economy.
His public profile was further elevated recently following his installation as Sarkin Sullubawan Bauchi by the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu.
According to the stakeholders, support for Waziri was informed by what they described as his wealth of experience in governance, economic planning, and national development—qualities they consider necessary for visionary leadership capable of moving Nigeria forward and tackling its numerous challenges.
His electoral agenda focuses on strengthening national security, reducing poverty, promoting national unity, and deepening democratic accountability.
The endorsement is expected to reshape the internal dynamics of the APM as consultations and political alignments intensify ahead of the party’s primaries. Analysts believe that the endorsement of Waziri marks the beginning of a strategic positioning that could define the APM’s electoral preparations and capacity to challenge the ruling APC.
They also contend that the development could negatively affect the prospects of various APM candidates in Oyo State and the South-West geopolitical zone, while potentially bringing Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition to a calamitous end.
