As speculation about his presidential ambitions continues to grow, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, 23 December, 2025 declared that he is qualified to lead Nigeria in 2027.
Makinde, who stated this during a media parley with selected newsmen in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, 23 December, 2025, cited his experience as Governor and his professional background as evidence of his capability.
“Let me make this very clear: to serve this country at the highest level, I am qualified — I’m even overqualified. 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.”
The Governor also highlighted his professional experience, saying, “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.”
While affirming his qualifications, the Governor noted that it is still too early to speak definitively about the 2027 presidential race.
He emphasised that Nigerians desire a viable democracy with strong opposition parties and criticised the defection of Governors and top politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress, warning that such moves do not bode well for the country.
“Governors are defecting from one party to the other, but have hunger and anger in the land also defected?” he asked.
