One thing that clearly distinguishes Governor Seyi Makinde from many politicians in Nigeria today is his early understanding that elections are not won solely within party structures. He appeared to realize long ago that depending entirely on party loyalists, political godfathers, or internal caucuses is no longer enough to secure victory in a modern democratic contest.
The reality of contemporary politics, especially in states like Oyo, is that the trust and confidence of the general public matter far more than the endorsement of a few influential party figures. A political party can provide structure, but it is ultimately the people who decide elections. Party members alone cannot produce the kind of overwhelming mandate required to dominate a statewide poll.
This political philosophy became even more evident during the 2023 governorship election in Oyo State. At a time when tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were obvious, and several powerful interests appeared dissatisfied with his style of politics, Makinde remained remarkably confident. He challenged disgruntled party stakeholders and political godfathers to support any candidate of their choice, fully convinced that ordinary residents of Oyo State were firmly behind him.
The election results eventually justified that confidence. Makinde secured a landslide re-election victory with a margin of over 300,000 votes — a feat widely regarded as one of the most decisive electoral victories ever recorded by an incumbent governor in Oyo State’s political history. The outcome was not just a win for the governor; it was also seen as a validation of his grassroots political strategy and his ability to connect directly with the electorate beyond party politics.
Observers of Oyo State politics have repeatedly pointed to Makinde’s populist governance style, infrastructural projects, workers’ welfare policies, and relatively strong public communication as factors that helped solidify his popularity among ordinary citizens. His administration’s road projects, educational interventions, agribusiness initiatives, and reforms in the state’s civil service have continued to shape public perception about his leadership.
However, a closer look at Makinde’s recent political moves suggests that his focus may not necessarily be on contesting Nigeria’s presidential election in 2027, despite growing speculation around his national political relevance. Rather, many analysts believe his current political calculations are more strategic and localized.
The prevailing belief in many political circles is that Makinde may be attempting to correct what happened during the 2023 general elections when his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly weakened the PDP’s chances in Oyo State’s senatorial contests. That political alignment was widely believed to have contributed to the PDP losing all three senatorial seats in the state despite Makinde’s personal electoral strength.
Political watchers argue that the governor understands one critical reality: his popularity in Oyo State remains a major electoral asset. As a result, the most effective way to boost the chances of his preferred senatorial and legislative candidates in 2027 may be for him to remain directly on the ballot. In essence, his presence in an election significantly strengthens the PDP’s overall structure and voter appeal across the state.
At the moment, many believe Makinde has relatively little left to do to consolidate support for what supporters have already nicknamed “Omituntun 3.0,” especially considering the perceived internal divisions currently affecting the opposition All Progressives Congress in Oyo State.
The APC’s internal disagreements, leadership struggles, and ongoing realignments have continued to fuel conversations about whether the party can presently produce a governorship candidate capable of matching Makinde’s political influence and popularity within the state.
In fact, many political observers are still waiting to see what major campaign message some of the known APC governorship aspirants intend to present against Makinde’s political structure and his likely successors. Outside of Senator Fatai Buhari, who is often acknowledged for his performance and representation of his constituents, critics argue that few opposition figures currently possess the statewide political momentum needed to seriously challenge Makinde’s dominance.
As Oyo State gradually moves toward the 2027 political season, one thing appears increasingly certain: Seyi Makinde’s influence will remain central to the political direction of the state. Whether through direct participation, strategic alliances, or succession planning, his decisions may ultimately shape not only the future of the PDP in Oyo State but also the broader political balance within the South-West region of Nigeria.
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