Do not underestimate Governor Seyi Makinde.
One of the major factors I was looking for in the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) was its national spread and, more importantly, the kind of political structure capable of translating that spread into genuine voter influence at the polls.
To my surprise—or should I say, to my satisfaction—the numbers are beginning to tell an interesting story.
According to the final candidate information released ahead of the 2027 general elections, APM has fielded 103 senatorial candidates and 312 candidates for the House of Representatives across Nigeria.
That is not simply a list of names. It represents a considerable nationwide political footprint.
The significance of this is that presidential politics in Nigeria is rarely determined by the popularity of a presidential candidate alone. It also involves structures, candidates, local networks, grassroots mobilisation and the ability to connect national ambitions with communities across the country. A party presenting candidates across a substantial number of constituencies has an opportunity to build those connections at multiple levels.
APM has also publicly confirmed that it submitted its presidential and National Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the process as part of its strategy to expand its grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
At the centre of this emerging political equation is Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who is seeking the presidency on the APM platform.
Makinde's political strength is closely connected to his record in Oyo State. Supporters point to developments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, security, the economy and civil-service welfare as areas in which his administration has pursued measurable programmes. APM itself has repeatedly cited these areas when presenting Makinde's record to a national audience.
There is also the advantage of experience. Makinde has governed Oyo State for two terms, giving him eight years of executive experience at the state level before entering the 2027 presidential contest.
However, the national contest will ultimately be decided by Nigerian voters, not by party structures or campaign narratives. Claims about performance and popularity will continue to be tested against voters' assessments across the country's different regions and constituencies.
What makes the current development interesting is the combination of Makinde's established political profile in Oyo State with APM's attempt to build a broader national structure.
The party has already demonstrated its intention to contest the National Assembly elections extensively, while developments in Oyo State have also seen political movements and defectors joining the APM. On September 21, 2026, Makinde received APC defectors in Ibadan and used the occasion to express confidence in APM's prospects in the 2027 elections.
Whether this structure will ultimately translate into electoral success is a question for the voters and the election itself.
But one thing is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: APM is not approaching 2027 as a political platform without a national footprint.
With 103 senatorial candidates, 312 House of Representatives candidates and a two-term governor serving as its presidential candidate, the party has put a substantial structure on the ballot.
For those who have been watching the 2027 political landscape, this development deserves serious attention.
The Nigerian electorate will have another major choice to make in 2027—and this time, the APM and Seyi Makinde are presenting themselves as an alternative national political option.
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