Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced former Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Lawal Musa Daura, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Allied People’s Movement (APM).
Makinde’s presidential candidacy and the choice of Daura were announced on Thursday following the APM National Convention held at Rilwan Adamu Square in Bauchi State.
The development was contained in a statement issued by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan.
Daura served as Director-General of the SSS between 2015 and 2018 and has extensive experience in Nigeria’s intelligence and security sector.
Makinde, while accepting the APM presidential ticket, pledged to tackle insecurity and address the hardship and poverty confronting millions of Nigerians if elected president.
The Oyo governor said his decision to choose Daura was deliberate, stressing that the former intelligence chief had the experience required to contribute to efforts aimed at addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
Makinde also said he was prepared to work with politicians and other Nigerians who shared his vision of building a better country and improving the living conditions of citizens.
He linked the hardship being experienced by Nigerians to what he described as poorly implemented policies in recent years, insisting that his administration would focus on practical measures capable of improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
Makinde had earlier in May accepted his nomination as the APM presidential candidate. He said his ambition was driven by the need to restore hope and rebuild confidence in Nigeria.
“I stand before you today with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility as I accept the nomination to serve as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement for the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said in Ibadan.
The governor said Nigeria had the resources and capacity to overcome its challenges through honest leadership, discipline and practical reforms.
“I believe that we possess the capacity to rebuild our economy through honesty, discipline and practical reforms. When I speak of practical reforms, I mean reforms that directly improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” Makinde said.
He also promised reforms in the oil and gas sector, including the restructuring of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), while stressing that Nigerians must benefit more from the country’s natural resources.
On food security, Makinde said it was unacceptable for Nigerians to suffer hunger despite the country’s agricultural potential.
“It is unacceptable that a nation blessed with abundant resources still has millions of citizens going to bed hungry,” he stated.
He said his proposed administration would improve agricultural production, processing, storage and logistics by first obtaining accurate data on the country’s agricultural capacity.
Makinde also stressed that his campaign would focus on competence and practical solutions rather than promises that could not be fulfilled.
“I do not stand before you promising miracles. I am an engineer, not a miracle worker. What I promise is leadership that listens, leadership that learns, leadership that acts, and leadership that understands that the true purpose of government is to improve the lives of ordinary citizens,” he said.
He added that “this journey is not about one man’s ambition,” while appealing to politicians and other stakeholders who share his vision to join forces ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The choice of Bauchi as the venue for the convention also featured prominently in Makinde’s remarks, with the governor noting that the state was the home of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
He described the convention as an important moment in the country’s political history and expressed optimism that Nigeria could achieve a better future through purposeful leadership.
Makinde said he would draw on the experience he had gained from governing Oyo State since 2019 and apply it at the national level if elected president, with emphasis on citizens’ welfare, economic development and security.
The APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, had earlier affirmed Makinde’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate, describing it as a defining moment in the history of the party and the beginning of what he called a national rescue mission.
The endorsement also received support from political stakeholders in the North-East. Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy, Mohammed Auwal Jatau, led a delegation that endorsed Makinde’s candidacy.
“We are here on behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State to support, endorse and celebrate the emergence of our dear distinguished brother, Oluwaseyi Makinde, as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement,” Jatau said.
He added, “We firmly believe that he is the leader Nigeria needs at this critical moment in our nation’s history. We are confident that he possesses the vision, competence, experience and commitment required to move Nigeria forward and deliver the leadership our people deserve.”
