In addition to announcing a political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement in the state, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde may formally announce his candidacy for president at a rally scheduled for Thursday at the historic Mapo Hall in the state's Ibadan South-East Local Government Area.
Makinde is also expected to announce candidates running for state and national elective positions on the APM platform. It should be noted that a wave of resignations from the PDP to the APM occurred in the 2027 elections.
In addition to announcing a political union between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement in the state, the event, dubbed "Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026," is predicted to mark the official beginning of Makinde's projected 2027 presidential campaign.
Makinde is expected to announce candidates for state and national elective offices on the APM platform, in addition to his presidential candidacy.
Recall that political officeholders in the state, particularly those running for office in the 2027 elections, resigned in large numbers, ranging from the PDP to the APM.
Former state Commissioner for Finance Bimbo Adekanmbi, the party's nominee for governor, and senatorial candidates Stanley Olajide, Olufemi Ajadi, and Shina Peller are among those anticipated to be announced on the APM platform.
It is also anticipated that the party will reveal its candidates for the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly.
Leaders of the APM and the Taminu Turaki faction of the PDP are anticipated to sign an agreement on the terms of the partnership prior to the declaration rally.
"We will sign forms of alliance with APM, involving its national chairman and our own side, led by Taminu Turaki," stated a reliable PDP source.
"Governor Seyi Makinde will declare his presidential bid on the platform of the APM," according to another source. "The May 14 rally is expected to attract political stakeholders, youth groups, community leaders, traditional supporters, and allies from across the country, particularly individuals believed to align with Governor Makinde's leadership style and political vision."
"Although the governor has yet to make an official public statement regarding his intention to contest the presidency in 2027, support groups and political associates have continued to intensify calls for him to enter the race."
Party officials from both sides are anticipated to start traveling to Ibadan on Wednesday as preparations for the rally on Thursday get more intense.
According to a second source, "political stakeholders, youth organizations, community leaders, traditional supporters, and allies from across the country are expected to attend the May 14 rally, particularly individuals believed to align with Governor Makinde's leadership style and political vision."
"Support organizations and political associates have continued to step up calls for the governor to run for president in 2027, even though he has not yet made a formal public statement about his intention to do so.
"Several grassroots mobilizers, political associates, and loyalists of the governor are reportedly making strategic moves as consultations over a broader political structure continue to gather momentum," the sources continued.
Adding that the actions were part of a larger strategy meant to strengthen grassroots structures throughout the state and beyond while consolidating Makinde's growing influence within the national political space.
Recall that Makinde reaffirmed his allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party after meeting with President Bola Tinubu in January 2026, emphasizing that bipartisanship does not imply defecting to the All Progressives Congress.
The sources went on to say that the actions were a part of a larger plan to solidify Makinde's expanding power in the national political arena while bolstering grassroots organizations throughout the state and beyond.
Remember that after meeting with President Bola Tinubu in January 2026, Makinde reiterated his allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party and promoted a "bipartisan approach" to administration in Nigeria's best interests, especially when it came to matters like poverty and security.
Bipartisanship, he emphasized, does not entail joining the All Progressives Congress.
