Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has disclosed that a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) cautioned him against contesting against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. The warning, according to Makinde, came shortly before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requested extensive financial records from the Oyo State Government.
Makinde reveals warning in newsletter
Makinde made the revelation in his July 2026 monthly newsletter, a copy of which was obtained by journalists in Ibadan on Thursday, July 23. He stated that the APC chieftain specifically advised him not to challenge Tinubu, who has already been endorsed by the APC as its candidate for the 2027 election.
The governor directly linked this warning to a subsequent move by the EFCC. According to Makinde, the day after the APC chieftain delivered the caution, the EFCC sent a request to the Oyo State Government demanding copies of all contracts and payments made to contractors from 2021 onwards. He noted that the request did not specify any particular contractor, company, transaction, or alleged offence.
Court restrains EFCC from probing Oyo finances
Makinde's comments came a day after a Federal High Court in Ibadan issued a ruling in favour of the state government. Delivering judgement on suit no: FHC/IB/CS/61/2025, filed by the Oyo State Government, the court restrained the EFCC from proceeding with its planned investigation into the state's finances. The court acknowledged that the EFCC has the legal authority to investigate financial infractions and criminal conduct, but emphasised that this authority must be exercised strictly within the limits set by the Nigerian Constitution and the rule of law.
Political pressure linked to 2027 election
In his newsletter, Makinde framed the EFCC's sweeping request for records as part of a broader pattern of political pressure tied to the 2027 election, in which Tinubu is expected to seek a second term as president. The governor suggested that the anti-graft agency's actions were politically motivated, aimed at intimidating him ahead of the election.
Makinde accused of politicising state issues
However, Makinde has faced accusations of politicising every situation in the state to further his 2027 presidential ambition. Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose claimed that the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State was orchestrated by the Makinde government. This is not the first time Fayose has made such allegations; he previously accused Governor Makinde of receiving N50 billion from the federal government to compensate victims of the Ibadan explosion.
Tinubu told to resign over insecurity
In related news, President Bola Tinubu was urged to resign over growing insecurity in Nigeria, particularly the recent school abduction in Oyo State. APM chieftain Olufemi Ajadi condemned the government's inaction following the incident, emphasising the need for accountability. Ajadi also called for stronger collaboration and decentralisation in security operations to combat rising violence and crime.
