Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has stated that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde will not be running for president in the 2027 general elections.
Governor Makinde, a key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had previously shown confidence in his leadership abilities and hinted at a possible presidential ambition. In an earlier interview, Makinde remarked:
“I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land and I have what it takes. But what I want to do right now— is it what Nigerians are asking for? Is it what my party will say we should do? We don’t know; we still have a long time to go.”
However, Fayose, speaking on Wednesday, dispelled speculations of any such ambition. While appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, he said Makinde had no intention to run and was unaware of social media materials suggesting otherwise.
“Let me say to you, I saw adverts running on social media. With due respect to Governor Makinde, I forwarded it to him. He called me and said it’s not wrong, but he doesn’t know anything about those flyers. It was some boys flying it,” Fayose stated.
Fayose affirmed his trust in Makinde’s words, emphasizing that the governor would not allow himself to be used to undermine a Yoruba presidency.
“I would rather believe whatever he tells me as a brother. And he told me that he’s not going to be the person that will be used against a Yoruba man as president. I stand to be corrected, but based on what he has told me… unless anything changes.”
This clarification comes amid increasing political speculation ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
