Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde's decision to contest the 2027 presidential election is a calculated long-term move rather than a genuine bid for the presidency, according to political analyst Omotayo Yusuf.
Speaking in an interview with Legit.ng, Yusuf said Makinde's public confidence about winning is consistent with what any politician seeking the highest office would project, but argued that the ambition runs deeper than the 2027 cycle.
Analyst on Makinde's chances
"Makinde is doing what politicians are expected to do; I mean, he is running for president. What else is expected of him than expressing confidence in his winning the election?" Yusuf said.
The analyst was direct in his reading of the situation, stating that none of the key observers believes a first attempt will yield a victory. "Of course, he is preparing the floor for a possible opportunity to run for a proper presidency, where he would have a better chance of winning," he added.
Why Makinde can't win 2027 presidential election
Yusuf noted that Nigerian political history shows that presidential victories rarely come on a candidate's first outing, though exceptions exist. In his view, persistence and early exposure are what ultimately build a viable path to Aso Rock.
"So, for him, he is just testing the waters; he knows he will not win, I know he will not win, Nigerians know he will not win, but there is more to be gained in the future, so the journey for that opportunity, maybe in the next 12 years, starts now," he said.
Makinde, who governs Oyo State, is the 2027 presidential candidate of the Allied People Movement (APM). His entry into the race places him among a field of aspirants who will face the incumbent and other established political forces in a contest widely regarded as competitive.
Makinde mocks Tinubu
Legit.ng earlier reported that APM presidential candidate Governor Seyi Makinde made a bold physical gesture at a rally in Ondo State. Makinde said he would make the 2027 campaign about energy and the ability to handle the country's challenges. The governor appeared to direct a veiled challenge at President Tinubu without naming him directly.
