Governor Makinde: “I Have The Capacity For Presidency, But 2027 Not My Focus For Now”.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has stated that while he possesses the capacity to occupy Nigeria’s highest political office, he remains focused on fulfilling his mandate to the people of Oyo State rather than joining the growing speculations around a possible presidential bid in 2027.
Makinde, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and currently serving his second term in office, made the assertion during an interview on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* on Tuesday.
“I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land, and I have what it takes,” the governor said. “But what I want to do right now… Is it what Nigerians are asking for right now? Is it what my party will say we should do? We don’t know; we still have a long time to go.”
Makinde stressed that the immediate priority is not ambition but ensuring that the PDP is rebuilt and repositioned as a viable political force. According to him, political aspirations must be backed by a strong and unified platform.
“Where we are right now is that we must fix our party; we must have a platform for you to even aspire to be anything. Let me also say this: if my political journey ends here, I am also happy,” he added.
The governor dismissed attempts by some political actors to push him into declaring an early bid for the presidency, saying he would not allow anyone to set an agenda for him. He reiterated his commitment to improving the lives of the people through meaningful infrastructure and policy reforms.
“My focus remains on delivering the projects, programmes and policies that make life better for the people of Oyo State. That’s the mandate I was elected to deliver, and that’s what I will continue doing,” he stated.
On the 2027 general elections, Makinde predicted a shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, declaring that the contest would go beyond party lines. “2027 will not be about PDP versus APC. It will be Nigerians versus the APC,” he asserted.
His remarks come amid growing public debate over potential challengers to the APC’s hold on power, with various political figures assessing their chances ahead of the next electoral cycle.
