Makinde presidential bid may be formally unveiled at a major rally in Ibadan alongside a PDP-APM political alliance
Seyi Makinde may formally declare his presidential ambition on Thursday during a major political rally scheduled to hold at Mapo Hall in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area of Oyo State.
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The event, tagged “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026,” is expected to serve as the official launch of the anticipated Makinde presidential bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The rally is also expected to feature the unveiling of a political alliance involving the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement in Oyo State.
Sources familiar with the arrangement disclosed that Makinde is expected to unveil aspirants seeking elective offices on the platform of the APM during the event.
The planned declaration follows a wave of defections by political officeholders and aspirants in Oyo State from the PDP to the APM ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among those expected to be unveiled are former Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, Bimbo Adekanmbi, who is reportedly being positioned as the APM governorship candidate, alongside senatorial hopefuls Stanley Olajide, Olufemi Ajadi and Shina Peller.
House of Representatives and House of Assembly aspirants are also expected to be presented during the rally.
According to party insiders, the event will be preceded by the signing of an alliance agreement between leaders of the APM and the faction of the PDP led by Taminu Turaki.
A senior PDP source said the agreement would formalise the political collaboration ahead of the next election cycle.
“We will sign forms of alliance with APM, involving its national chairman and our own side, led by Taminu Turaki,” the source stated.
“Governor Seyi Makinde will declare his presidential bid on the platform of the APM.”
Preparations for the rally have intensified in Ibadan, with political stakeholders, youth groups, traditional supporters and party loyalists from across the country expected to attend.
Another source disclosed that grassroots mobilisation efforts had increased significantly in recent weeks as consultations around Makinde’s broader political structure gained momentum.
The source added that the moves formed part of a strategic effort aimed at consolidating the governor’s growing influence within Nigeria’s national political landscape.
Although Makinde has yet to officially confirm his intention to contest the presidency, support groups and political allies have continued to pressure him to enter the race.
Earlier in January 2026, following a meeting with Bola Tinubu, Makinde reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP while advocating bipartisan cooperation on national issues such as security and poverty reduction.
Also read: Makinde vows firm loyalty to PDP
The Oyo governor, however, stressed at the time that bipartisan engagement did not amount to defection to the All Progressives Congress.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
