Osun election results hint at Tinubu's possible loss to Makinde in 2027

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has said that the results from Saturday’s Osun State governorship election show that President Bola Tinubu might lose the 2027 presidential election to its candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

The party stated that the victory by the opposition in Osun, a state where Tinubu has strong political ties, shows that voters can defeat an incumbent government when they are unhappy with its performance.

In a statement on Sunday, National Publicity Secretary Yusuf Abubakar said the Osun election results reveal what they see as declining support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a rising demand for a change in leadership at the federal level.

“The triumph of the people over the All Progressives Congress in Saturday’s governorship election in President Tinubu’s home state, Osun, not only predicts the defeat that awaits President Tinubu in 2027 but also strongly establishes Makinde’s connection with the people, which proves that no political establishment is unbeatable until the people decide otherwise,” the party said.

The APM pointed out that voters' reactions to APC leaders during the election show public dissatisfaction with the ruling party.

They highlighted that President Tinubu’s associates, including APC governors, were allegedly booed as they left Osun State. This, they said, indicates that Nigerians are ready to reject the ruling party at the polls.

“Judging from how Nigerians reacted, as shown by the booing of APC leaders, President Tinubu and his party will find it hard to get any genuine support during the upcoming campaigns,” Abubakar stated.

The party believes that the Tinubu-led government will not be rewarded with another term if Nigerians continue to face economic hardship, insecurity, and poor governance.

The APM also claimed there are signs of discontent within the APC itself. They pointed to occasions where APC members and candidates openly chanted “APM” at party events.

They referred to a recent APC rally in Oyo State, where an APC governorship candidate was said to have repeatedly chanted the name of the opposition party.

The APM said these incidents should warn the President and the APC leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.

They further argued that Nigerians are increasingly seeing Makinde as a leader who is competent, transparent, and focused on the people.

“Nigerians are leaning towards Seyi Makinde because they view him as the right presidential candidate with the needed experience, practical plans, competence, and youthful energy to reset Nigeria to a better place,” the statement added.

Makinde has been the governor of Oyo State since 2019. He will finish his second term in 2027 and will run for the presidency under the APM banner.

The APM also mentioned that Makinde has shown he can manage a larger political and economic area, highlighting the growth of Oyo State’s economy during his time in office.

They recalled that a president from an unnamed African country visited Oyo State to exchange ideas with the governor on leadership and development, which they see as proof of Makinde’s recognition beyond the state.

The statement did not provide specific proof to back up its claim that the Tinubu administration is the worst in Nigeria’s history. But it listed inflation, unemployment, insecurity, poor infrastructure, and economic hardship as issues causing public dissatisfaction.

“Nigerians can no longer tolerate the arrogance in failure, the heavy handedness, worsening insecurity, and economic misery that the Tinubu administration now represents,” the party said.

The APM’s stance comes as political parties and presidential hopefuls start preparing for the 2027 general elections. The performance of the Tinubu administration is expected to be a major topic in the upcoming political debates.

The Osun governorship election, held on August 15, is also being closely watched by political parties as a significant electoral test ahead of 2027. The result has already sparked different interpretations among opposition parties and the ruling APC about its meaning for the next presidential contest.

In this light, the APM warned the APC against trying to manipulate the 2027 presidential election. They stated that any attempt to undermine the will of voters would face strong resistance.

“Our party cautions the APC to understand the situation and abandon any thoughts of rigging the 2027 presidential election. Any attempts to ignore the will of the people will be met with strong resistance by Nigerians through the APM,” Abubakar said.

The party congratulated Nigerians for what it called the victory of their will in Osun and said this development has strengthened their resolve to challenge the APC in the 2027 presidential election.

They promised to lead a united effort to “free our nation from the grip of the APC” in January 2027.