“I’m Qualified To Lead Nigeria” – Makinde Expresses Interest To Run For Presidency

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed his desire to run for the presidency, saying he has what it takes to lead Nigeria.

The governor made this known on Tuesday while responding to questions from a group of journalists during a media interaction in Ibadan.

Makinde said his confidence is based on his record as governor of Oyo State and his long career as an engineer and business leader.

He stated that he is more than qualified to serve the country at the highest level, noting that his experience compares favourably with that of past leaders.

He pointed out that President Bola Tinubu was a two-term governor of Lagos State before becoming president, adding that by May 2027, he would also have completed two full terms as governor.

“Let me make this very clear: to serve this country at the highest level, I am qualified — I’m even overqualified,” Governor Makinde told the gathering.

“I ran Oyo State, even the current president — what brought him to the table? He was governor of Lagos State for two terms. By the end of May 2027, by God’s grace and God sparing my life, I will have completed the full tenure as a two-term governor of Oyo State.”

He said, “Professionally, I ran a company from a very young age. At 29, some of my colleagues were still finishing their youth service. I ran the company, and people can go out there and check — I did not go to NNPC or the likes. I was working for multinational oil companies, including Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron.”

Despite the growing speculation, Makinde said it is still too early to talk seriously about the 2027 presidential election, as the polls are still more than a year away.

The governor stressed that Nigerians deserve a strong democratic system with vibrant opposition parties.

He criticised the ongoing defections of governors and other influential politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that such moves weaken the country’s democracy.

Makinde, who belongs to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is currently serving his second and final term as governor.

Although he supported President Tinubu of the APC during the 2023 election, he said he does not intend to repeat that decision.

He revealed that he was present at a meeting where the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, offered to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election, a move that surprised him.

“I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike, and others when Wike volunteered to hold the PDP for Tinubu against 2027, and I was in shock. Wike can support the president in 2027, but I will not,’ the governor said during the media chat.

Governor Makinde noted that his main focus for now is rebuilding and strengthening the PDP, which has been hit hard by the defection of several members, including governors and lawmakers.

KanyiDaily recalls that Governor Seyi Makinde recently questioned the cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a project recently approved by President Bola Tinubu.