Makinde Predicts 2027 Will Be “Nigerians vs APC” as He Blasts Ruling Party Over Economic Woes

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has forecast a political showdown in 2027 that he says will not pit the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the All Progressives Congress (APC), but Nigerians themselves against the ruling party. In a striking statement on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Makinde argued that the current administration’s failure to address key national issues will result in a widespread backlash during the next presidential election.

“The 2027 election won’t be PDP versus APC; it would be Nigerians versus APC. Mark my word on that,” Makinde declared, emphasizing that the electorate will hold the ruling party accountable for the country’s economic hardship and deteriorating security situation.

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Makinde: PDP Learnt Hard Lessons From 2023 Missteps

Makinde, a prominent figure within the PDP and a member of the influential G5 group of governors, acknowledged internal failings that led to his party’s defeat in the 2023 presidential poll. He cited a lack of regional balance in the distribution of power within the party as a major factor behind the PDP’s loss.

In the buildup to the 2023 elections, the PDP controversially handed its three top campaign positions to northerners. Iyorchia Ayu, from the North Central, was the party’s national chairman; Atiku Abubakar, from the North East, was the presidential flag bearer; and Aminu Tambuwal, from the North West, was the campaign’s director general.

“If the three main influential positions to take us to the election were occupied by the North East, the North Central, and the North West, how do we sell that position all around the country?” Makinde questioned, adding that the party’s configuration at the time alienated the southern bloc, ultimately weakening its national appeal.

Nigerians Facing Mounting Pressure Under APC Leadership

Governor Makinde pointed to the growing economic distress and escalating insecurity under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as key issues likely to sway public opinion before the next election. He argued that Nigerians are rapidly losing confidence in the APC’s leadership, which he says has failed to deliver meaningful reforms or alleviate widespread suffering.

According to Makinde, “This government has had time, opportunity, and public goodwill. But instead, we’re witnessing skyrocketing inflation, currency instability, and increased insecurity across the country.” He noted that the suffering of the masses will be a decisive factor in how the electorate approaches the 2027 ballot.

Makinde also described the PDP as the only viable alternative that could offer a better vision for the country. “We remain the hope of the common man,” he said, assuring that the party will avoid the mistakes of the past and build a stronger, more inclusive structure for the next presidential contest.

Makinde Says Wike Would Have Strengthened PDP Ticket

Reflecting on the internal decisions that shaped the PDP’s 2023 campaign, Makinde strongly suggested that the outcome could have been different had Atiku Abubakar chosen then Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike as his running mate.

“The ticket would have been stronger with Wike as vice presidential candidate,” he said, hinting at the political influence and regional balance that the Rivers strongman could have brought to the campaign.

The fallout between Atiku and Wike was one of the most significant fractures within the PDP leading up to the 2023 elections. Wike, alongside Makinde and three other governors, later formed the G5 group, pushing for equity, fairness, and southern representation in the party’s leadership structure.

As Nigeria prepares for yet another pivotal election in 2027, Makinde’s comments add fuel to ongoing discussions about the realignment of political forces and the accountability of those in power. His blunt assessment signals that the PDP intends to reposition itself not just as an opposition party, but as a rallying point for citizens disenchanted with the status quo.