Political analyst Omotayo Yusuf has predicted that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State will not make a significant impact in the 2027 presidential election, describing his ambition as still in its infancy. Makinde is contesting under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in his first attempt at the presidency.
Analyst's Assessment of Makinde's Chances
In an interview with Legit.ng, Yusuf stated that Makinde's presidential bid is too new to challenge the incumbent effectively. He pointed to the low visibility of Makinde's campaign, noting that many people could easily forget he is even in the race, which speaks volumes about the current state of his ambition.
Yusuf drew a parallel between Makinde's presidential pursuit and his earlier governorship attempts in Oyo State, highlighting that the governor had contested the governorship multiple times before eventually winning. He suggested the same pattern could apply to the presidency.
Makinde's Long Game Strategy
Yusuf said: "His presidential ambition is in its infancy. This is the first time he's running for president, and so it is understandable that it is still water weight. Maybe in an election cycle, he would have garnered enough support to begin to move the needle."
He added that Makinde appears to be playing a long game, positioning himself for future cycles rather than mounting a serious challenge in 2027. Yusuf told Legit.ng: "He's playing the long game, which is understandable, but it's not going to yield any substantial results."
No Dent in Incumbent's Ambition
Yusuf was careful to separate his analysis from any judgement of Makinde's record as governor, saying his comments were strictly about the presidential contest. On that front, he was blunt: "I don't see him making a dent in the incumbent's ambition," adding that the journey was only beginning for the governor and the ambition might not end in 2027.
Yusuf's remarks suggest that while Makinde's entry into the presidential race signals future intent, the 2027 election is unlikely to produce a breakthrough for the Oyo State governor.
