Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of using his 2027 presidential ambition as a ploy to leave the country and evade alleged corruption cases and other allegations of abuse of office, in a sharp escalation of the political confrontation between the ruling party and the governor ahead of the general elections.
The party made the allegation in a statement issued on Sunday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare. The APC described Makinde’s presidential project as a script packaged to create an avenue for him to escape from the country before May 29, 2027, in what it called his desperate bid to evade justice over alleged cases of graft and abuse of office. “Makinde is only out to hoodwink Nigerians, distract the anti-graft agencies which are on his cases and also secure an escape route from the country anytime from January 1, 2027,” Sadare said. The party claimed security agencies were already monitoring the situation and that Makinde would be required to answer questions over alleged infractions committed since he assumed office in May 2019.
The allegations listed by the APC include false asset declaration, diversion of local government funds, variation of contract sums, money laundering, land grabbing, sponsorship of violence, illegal sale of government properties, fraudulent loans, contempt of court and disobedience to court orders. The party did not provide documentary evidence to substantiate the claims, and none of the allegations have been independently verified. The APC said the governor and a handful of individuals liable to prosecution were aware of what lay ahead of them, which explained why they wanted to leave before the end of his tenure. “After he had played an inglorious role in the relegation of the PDP, Makinde made it to a colourless APM and he hijacked the party’s presidential ticket,” the statement added.
Makinde, who is serving his second and final term as governor of Oyo State, declared his presidential ambition in May 2026 under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement, with former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura, as his running mate. He formally accepted the APM presidential ticket in Ibadan, pledging to “reset” Nigeria through reforms targeting insecurity, the economy and the cost-of-living crisis. The APM inaugurated its presidential campaign headquarters in Abuja in September 2026, declaring a mission to reset the country through the Makinde-Daura ticket. The campaign has said its engagements will be driven by issues and broad-based consultations with citizens across the country.
The APC also faulted the reported declaration of Monday, September 21, as a public holiday in the state, alleging the decision was intended to promote a musical concert organised in Ibadan. The party described the development as an abuse of office and accused the governor of deploying state resources to political activities. The concert, tagged BOYE Nation/JAF Movement Concert, is scheduled to hold on Monday at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan. The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority has announced temporary traffic diversions and road closures ahead of the event. The APC questioned how Makinde could contest and win a presidential election under what it described as an unpopular political party, citing the APM’s performance in recent by-elections as evidence of its limited national spread. “How then can Makinde contest and win presidential election in the country under the unpopular political party?” the party asked.
The allegations mark the latest chapter in a long-running political battle between the Oyo APC and the governor. In September 2026, the party vowed to recover any public funds allegedly spent by Makinde on his presidential ambition, describing his aspiration as a political distraction. It also accused the governor of attempting to intimidate traditional rulers and religious leaders over their interactions with APC members and candidates. The APC has consistently argued that Makinde lacks the capacity to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, describing his ambition as a political drama designed to entertain and distract Nigerians. The party has also claimed that Makinde would come a distant eighth if he appeared on the ballot.
Makinde’s camp has not yet issued a formal response to the latest allegations. In July 2026, the governor disclosed that an unnamed APC chieftain had warned him not to contest against Tinubu in 2027, saying the warning came after the President was endorsed as the APC’s sole candidate. He has also dismissed previous APC attacks on his ambition, saying his decision to seek judicial intervention in a separate matter did not amount to avoiding investigation. The Oyo PDP has previously defended the governor against APC criticism, accusing the opposition party of abusing Makinde instead of addressing the economic challenges facing Nigerians.
The political stakes extend far beyond Oyo State. The 2027 presidential election is scheduled for January 16, with the governorship and state assembly elections following on February 6. Makinde is one of several candidates seeking to unseat President Tinubu, alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress and former Anambra Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. The APC’s decision to frame Makinde’s ambition as an escape route from justice is part of a broader strategy to discredit opposition candidates and portray the ruling party as the only credible option for Nigerians. Whether the allegations will gain traction with voters or be dismissed as political propaganda remains to be seen, but the exchange signals that the 2027 campaign will be fought not only over policy and performance but also over character and accountability.
For now, the APC has placed its allegations on the record, and the governor has yet to respond. The coming days will determine whether Makinde addresses the claims directly, dismisses them as political distraction, or chooses to let his campaign record speak for itself. What is certain is that the battle for 2027 will continue to generate friction between the ruling party and the opposition, and the language of the campaign will be as closely watched as its substance.
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