The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has stated that he is qualified to contest the highest office in the country.
9news Nigeria reports that Makinde’s presidential campaign posters recently surfaced in key parts of Jigawa State, sparking speculation about his interest to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Addressing the rumour during a media chat with selected journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, Makinde said he is qualified for the nation’s top job.
According to him, being a two-term governor, qualifies him to run for the presidency.
He said, “I am qualified to serve this country at the highest level. I have run Oyo State. Even the president, what brought him to the table? He was governor of Lagos State for two terms.
“By the end of May 2027, I would have also completed two terms as governor. Professionally, I ran a company from a very young age”.
Meanwhile, Makinde has vowed not to support the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Makinde took a swipe at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, stating that others should be allowed to freely choose who they’ll support politically.
He explained that Wike cannot dictate political choices to others.
According to Makinde, he was in a meeting with Wike, President Tinubu and a few others when the former Rivers State Governor declared that he would hold the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Tinubu in 2027.
The Oyo State Governor said Wike’s statement shocked him, and he (Makinde) won’t be part of such plans.
Makinde added that his resolve not to support Tinubu in 2027 hinges on the need to ensure democracy survives in Nigeria, the PDP remains a viable political party, and the country does not drift into a one-party state.
According to him, President Tinubu didn’t request Wike to hold the PDP for him, it was the FCT Minister who offered to hold the party for the president.
“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.
