The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has described the outcome of the Osun State governorship election as a warning sign for the All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that President Bola Tinubu could lose the 2027 presidential election to its candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
The party made the assertion in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abubakar, following the election held in Osun State on Saturday.
According to the APM, the victory recorded by the opposition in Osun demonstrated that voters could reject an established political party when they become dissatisfied with its performance.
The party said the result was particularly significant because Osun is regarded as one of the states where President Tinubu has strong political roots.
“The triumph of the people over the All Progressives Congress in Saturday’s governorship election in President Tinubu’s home state, Osun, not only foretastes the defeat that awaits President Tinubu in 2027 but also firmly establishes Makinde’s people-driven position that every political establishment seems unbeatable until the people decide otherwise,” the statement said.
The APM also claimed that reactions from voters during the election reflected growing dissatisfaction with the ruling APC.
It cited alleged booing of some APC leaders and governors as they departed Osun State, saying the development indicated that the party could face difficulties during the 2027 campaign.
“Judging from the disposition of Nigerians as witnessed in the booing of APC leaders, President Tinubu and his party will struggle to command any genuine audience during the upcoming campaigns,” Abubakar said.
The opposition party further criticised the Tinubu administration over economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, inflation and what it described as poor governance.
It argued that continued public hardship could make it difficult for the APC to secure another presidential mandate in 2027.
The APM also alleged that dissatisfaction with the APC extended to some members of the ruling party, claiming that there had been instances where APC supporters and candidates openly chanted the name of the opposition party at political gatherings.
The party particularly referenced an alleged incident at an APC rally in Oyo State, where it claimed an APC governorship candidate repeatedly mentioned “APM.”
According to the party, such developments should serve as a warning to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APM maintained that Makinde was gaining popularity among Nigerians because of what it described as his record of performance, competence and people-oriented leadership in Oyo State.
“Nigerians are gravitating toward Seyi Makinde because they see in him the right presidential candidate with the desired track record of performance, practical blueprint, competence and youthful commitment to reset Nigeria to a nation of our collective dream,” the statement added.
Makinde, who became governor of Oyo State in 2019, is expected to complete his second term in 2027. The APM said he would contest the 2027 presidential election on its platform.
The party also praised Makinde’s administration for what it described as economic growth and development in Oyo State, arguing that his performance demonstrated his capacity to manage a larger political and economic constituency.
The APM further criticised the Federal Government over what it described as worsening insecurity and economic difficulties, although it did not provide specific evidence for its broader claim that the Tinubu administration was the worst in Nigeria’s history.
“Of course, Nigerians can no longer continue to stomach the arrogance in failure, totalitarian proclivities, worsening insecurity and economic hardship that the Tinubu administration now represents,” the party stated.
The party also warned the APC against any attempt to manipulate the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the will of voters must be respected.
“Our party therefore cautions the APC to read the handwriting on the wall and perish any thoughts of rigging the 2027 presidential election, as any attempt to subvert the will of the people will be firmly resisted by Nigerians on the platform of the APM,” Abubakar said.
The APM congratulated Nigerians over what it called the triumph of the electorate in Osun and said the result had strengthened its determination to challenge the APC in the 2027 presidential contest.
The Osun governorship election is expected to remain a major talking point among political parties as they begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with both the ruling party and opposition groups offering different interpretations of its political implications.
