Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed confidence in his ability to lead Nigeria, declaring that he has the capacity to occupy the highest political office in the country.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, the two-term governor boldly stated, “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 Oyo governor, whose tenure will elapse in 2027, has been mentioned among likely hopefuls for the PDP’s presidential ticket, as the party could be pushing for a southern candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
While Makinde stopped short of confirming a presidential ambition, he emphasized that any such move would not be made without due consideration and preparation.
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“Nobody will set an agenda for me. I will set an agenda for myself,” he said, dismissing speculation-driven politics. “If I want to contest, I will come out at the appropriate time.”
The governor suggested that the next elections would transcend party lines, framing it as a battle between the Nigerian people and the APC rather than a traditional PDP-APC showdown.
“The 2027 elections will be between Nigerians and the APC. It won’t be about PDP versus APC,” he asserted.
Makinde also addressed the internal turmoil within the PDP, insisting that resolving the party’s crisis is a prerequisite for any meaningful political ambition.
“The party must fix itself before anyone can aspire to be anything,” he said, alluding to the division triggered by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s push for a political coalition—a move that was recently rejected by PDP governors.
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While distancing himself from Atiku’s coalition effort, Makinde acknowledged the right of individuals to form political alliances. However, he stressed the importance of internal unity. “Your house must be in order before you invite others,” he added.
Despite the national attention, Makinde reiterated his current focus remains on delivering good governance in Oyo State.
“I will stay focused to ensure that we bring dividends of democracy to our people, look after them, and build infrastructure that will lead our people well into the future,” he said.
The governor concluded with a note of contentment about his political journey so far: “Let me also say this: if my political journey ends here, I am also happy.”