By Shina Abubakar

OSOGBO — Members of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, in Osun State have affirmed Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as the party’s preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The party also disclosed plans to attract members and structures of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, into its fold ahead of the polls.

The affirmation was announced at the weekend in Osogbo by the Chairman of the party’s Primary Election Committee, Mr. Adewale Adebayo.

According to him, party members across the 332 wards in the state unanimously endorsed Makinde as the party’s presidential candidate, describing the outcome as a demonstration of unity, consensus and shared conviction in the future of both the party and the nation.

“In every generation, political movements survive not only by competition, but by cohesion, discipline and collective purpose. Today, APM is sending that message clearly and boldly,” he said.

Adebayo added that the affirmation of candidates across various elective positions reflected the confidence of party members in credible leadership and their determination to move forward as a united political family.

“The affirmation of our candidates across all elective positions reflects the confidence of the party in credible leadership and our determination to move forward as one united political family.

“Sometimes, the strongest democracy is not in division, but in agreement built on trust, consultation and common vision.

“After the successful conduct of our primaries, we have today affirmed His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the sole presidential aspirant of our great party, as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement for the 2027 general election,” he said.

While announcing the successful candidates for National Assembly and State Assembly tickets, Adebayo stressed the need for peaceful resolution of disputes arising from the primary elections.

He said the party had activated reconciliation mechanisms to engage aggrieved members and encourage them to remain committed to its collective interest ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election and the 2027 general elections.

“As a responsible political party, we have also activated reconciliation mechanisms to engage and encourage aggrieved members to remain committed to the collective interest of the party as we prepare for the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election and subsequently the 2027 General Elections,” he said.

Adebayo also called on PDP members and other Nigerians to join the APM, describing it as a credible platform for strengthening opposition politics in the country.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and indeed other well-meaning Nigerians, to embrace APM as a credible and formidable platform to resist every subtle attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to weaken opposition voices in Nigeria,” he added.