Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde says he is qualified to lead Nigeria, citing governance and professional experience amid 2027 speculation
Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, on Tuesday in Ibadan declared that he is qualified to lead Nigeria, as speculation continues to mount over his possible interest in the 2027 presidential election.
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Makinde made the assertion during a media parley with select journalists, citing his experience in public office and his professional background as evidence of his readiness for national leadership.
“Let me make this very clear: to serve this country at the highest level, I am qualified — I’m even overqualified,” the governor said.
Drawing comparisons with past political trajectories, Makinde noted that by May 2027 he would have completed two full terms as governor, similar to the path taken by President Bola Tinubu before assuming national office.
“I ran Oyo State, even the current president — what brought him to the table? He was governor of Lagos State for two terms,” Makinde said.
“By the end of May 2027, by God’s grace, I will have completed my tenure as a two-term governor of Oyo State.”
The governor also highlighted his private-sector experience, stressing that his leadership credentials predate his political career.
He said he founded and ran a company at a young age and worked extensively with multinational oil firms.
“Professionally, I ran a company from a very young age,” he said. “I did not rely on government patronage. I worked for multinational oil companies including Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron.”
Despite his confident remarks, Makinde said it was still too early to make a definitive declaration regarding the 2027 presidential race. He added that his immediate concern remains the health of Nigeria’s democracy.
The Oyo governor criticised the ongoing wave of defections by governors and senior politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress, warning that the trend weakens opposition politics and democratic balance.
“Governors are defecting from one party to another,” Makinde said, “but have hunger and anger in the land also defected?”
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His comments come amid renewed debate over the future of the opposition and the search for viable alternatives ahead of the next general election.
