By Atoyebi Nike
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that he is qualified to serve as Nigeria’s president, amid growing speculation about his potential 2027 presidential ambitions.
Speaking to journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, Makinde pointed to his tenure as governor and his professional experience as evidence of his capability. “Let me make this very clear: to serve this country at the highest level, I am qualified – I’m even overqualified,” he said.
Makinde noted that by May 2027, he will have completed two full terms as Oyo State governor, comparing his experience to that of the current president, who also served as a two-term state governor. He also highlighted his early professional achievements, managing a company at age 29 and working for multinational oil companies such as Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron.
While affirming his qualifications, Makinde said it was too early to speak definitively about the 2027 presidential race. He urged Nigerians to seek a viable democracy with strong opposition parties and criticized governors and top politicians who defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress, noting that such moves fail to address public anger and discontent.
