2027: We’ll Reject Any Electoral Fraud, Says Makinde

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, APM, Seyi Makinde, has warned that the opposition will resist any attempt to manipulate the 2027 electoral process, insisting that the outcome of the election must reflect the wishes of Nigerians.

 

Makinde gave the warning in Bauchi on Friday while speaking with journalists after a closed-door meeting with Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

 

He cautioned against any move to suppress the will of voters, stressing that Nigerians must be allowed to freely decide their leaders.

 

“They must not suppress the will of the people. They must not suppress whatever decision they are going to take, and we will ensure that does not happen.

 

“We will not allow any electoral malpractice. The outcome must reflect the voice of Nigerians,” he said.

 

The governor described Nigeria’s current political atmosphere as “toxic” and one of the darkest periods in the country’s history, but expressed optimism that the nation was approaching a new political era.

 

“Being in opposition, the political environment is very toxic. It is the darkest moment, I can say that to you. But when the day is about to break, that is the darkest point.

 

“So, I can assure Nigerians that irrespective of the challenges we are faced with, the day is about to break for a new dawn in the country,” Makinde stated.

 

Speaking on the APM’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, the governor said the party remained confident that Nigerians would determine the outcome of the poll.

 

He recalled his victory in the 2019 Oyo State governorship election, despite the dominance of the All Progressives Congress at both the federal and state levels.

 

“In Oyo State in 2019, as an opposition party then in the PDP, APC was ruling at the federal level and also at the state level, but we won.

 

“It is the people. Democracy is about the people of Nigeria. We believe they will speak very loudly and clearly when the time comes,” he added.

 

On insecurity in Oyo State, Makinde said the recent security challenges should be viewed within context, noting that the state had enjoyed years of relative peace before the incidents.

 

“I have been on this job for seven years and about two months. The insecurity you mentioned happened barely two months ago. For several years, we didn’t witness anything like this in Oyo State,” he said.

 

Earlier, Governor Bala Mohammed said his meeting with Makinde focused on governance, security and the future of the APM as an opposition party.

 

Mohammed described Makinde as an experienced leader whose achievements in Oyo State had provided valuable lessons for other governors.

 

He said both leaders also discussed security challenges affecting their states and strategies for strengthening the APM ahead of the 2027 elections.