The Lagos State chapter of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) has endorsed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as the preferred consensus presidential candidate for a united opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Ayodele Kazeem, Lagos APM said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, governance experience and national appeal required to unite opposition parties and offer Nigerians what it described as a credible alternative to the current administration.
According to the party, its endorsement is based on Governor Makinde‘s record in governance rather than political sentiment or convenience.
It credited the governor with delivering measurable achievements in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and security while maintaining prudent fiscal management and driving economic growth in Oyo State.
The party argued that Nigeria’s economic and security challenges require a leader with practical governance experience rather than political rhetoric, describing Makinde as a public official who has demonstrated responsible management of public resources, disciplined fiscal policies and development driven by planning.
APM Lagos also said Makinde’s ability to build relationships across political divides makes him well-positioned to lead a broad opposition coalition.
The statement noted that the governor enjoys goodwill across party lines, commands respect among governors regardless of political affiliation and maintains cordial relationships with political leaders across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
It further described Makinde as a bridge-builder whose calm disposition and consensus-building approach could help ease political divisions while attracting support nationwide.
The party stressed that electability would be critical in selecting a coalition candidate, arguing that the opposition requires a presidential aspirant capable of building a national alliance rather than appealing to only one region.
Beyond endorsing Makinde, APM Lagos announced plans to play what it described as a strategic role in the opposition’s electoral mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
It said its Lagos governorship candidate, Prince Laja Adeoye, has activated a grassroots mobilisation framework aimed at contributing more than five million votes to the coalition’s presidential campaign across the state’s 20 local government areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.
According to the party, the strategy includes strengthening polling-unit structures, expanding volunteer networks, mobilising youths, women and professionals, encouraging voter registration and Permanent Voter Card collection, deploying digital campaign platforms, recruiting election agents and engaging community organisations, market associations, transport unions and faith-based groups.
Describing Lagos as Nigeria’s most strategic electoral battleground with nearly eight million registered voters, APM Lagos pledged to mobilise eligible voters, protect votes and encourage broad participation in the electoral process.
The party also called on opposition political parties, civil society organisations, youth groups and other stakeholders to set aside individual ambitions and unite behind what it described as competent and proven leadership in the interest of the country.
It maintained that a divided opposition would only strengthen the ruling government, urging stakeholders to rally behind Makinde as the coalition’s consensus candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
