The Lagos State chapter of the Allied Peoples Movement has urged opposition parties to adopt Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as their consensus presidential candidate for Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
The party said Makinde possessed the experience, leadership qualities and nationwide appeal needed to unite the opposition and offer voters an alternative to the ruling party.
APM State Publicity Secretary Ayodele Kazeem presented the party’s position in a statement issued in Lagos on Monday, August 3, 2026.
APM Highlights Makinde’s Leadership Record
Kazeem said the Lagos chapter’s support was based on its assessment of Makinde’s performance in office rather than political convenience.
He argued that the governor had demonstrated prudent management, transparency and the ability to deliver measurable development projects.
The party spokesperson pointed to investments in roads, healthcare, education, agriculture and security under the Makinde administration.
He also credited the Oyo State Government with seeking to expand internally generated revenue and attract investment through infrastructure development.
These assessments represent the APM’s political appraisal of Makinde’s administration and not an independent evaluation of its performance.
Party Says Nigeria Needs Experienced Leadership
According to Kazeem, Nigeria requires a president who understands both public administration and the private sector.
He said Makinde had shown that public resources could be managed responsibly and that development could be driven by planning rather than political publicity.
The APM official described the governor as a leader capable of completing visible projects while maintaining financial discipline.
He added that Makinde’s executive experience and willingness to make difficult decisions strengthened his suitability for the presidency.
Makinde Presented as a Bridge-Builder
The Lagos APM described Makinde as a politician with relationships extending beyond his party and region.
Kazeem said the governor’s calm approach, willingness to listen and ability to build consensus could help reduce political divisions in Nigeria.
He argued that a successful opposition candidate would need support from different regions, political groups and sections of society.
The party maintained that popularity within one region would not be enough to win a presidential election requiring a broad national coalition.
APM Had Chosen Makinde as Presidential Candidate
The Allied Peoples Movement had earlier declared Makinde its consensus presidential candidate and presented him with a certificate of return on May 30, 2026.
Makinde also announced his presidential ambition under an alliance involving the Peoples Democratic Party and the APM.
The Lagos chapter said an expanded opposition coalition could increase his prospects of building a competitive national campaign.
Any broader consensus arrangement would, however, require agreement among the participating opposition parties and compliance with Nigeria’s electoral laws.
Lagos APM Targets Grassroots Mobilisation
Kazeem said the party was developing structures to mobilise voters across Lagos State ahead of the 2027 elections.
He claimed the chapter was working towards delivering more than five million votes for the opposition coalition across the state’s 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.
The figure remains a campaign target announced by the party rather than a projection validated by an independent electoral assessment.
The APM said its mobilisation strategy would focus on polling-unit organisation, volunteer recruitment and engagement with young people, women and professionals.
It also plans to promote voter registration and Permanent Voter Card collection while expanding its use of digital campaign platforms.
Party Plans Engagement With Community Groups
The Lagos chapter said it would recruit and train election agents ahead of the polls.
It also intends to engage community organisations, market associations, transport unions and faith-based groups during its campaign.
According to Kazeem, the mobilisation effort would focus on public concerns and policy issues rather than being built solely around individual political personalities.
He said the objective was to convert dissatisfaction among some Nigerians into electoral support for the opposition.
Adeoye Coordinates Lagos Campaign Structure
Kazeem said the APM governorship candidate in Lagos, Prince Laja Adeoye, was coordinating the development of the party’s grassroots framework.
Adeoye emerged as the APM’s consensus candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship election after moving from the PDP to the party.
The party said the proposed structure would support both Adeoye’s governorship campaign and Makinde’s presidential ambition.
Kazeem maintained that Makinde offered the opposition a combination of executive experience, cross-party relationships and the ability to attract support from different parts of Nigeria.
