Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, may formally declare his presidential ambition during a political rally scheduled to hold at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area on Thursday.
The event, tagged “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026,” is expected to serve as the official launch of Makinde’s anticipated 2027 presidential bid.
The rally is also expected to witness the unveiling of a political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State.
Sources within the PDP disclosed that the event would feature the formal presentation of aspirants contesting state and national elective positions on the platform of the APM.
The development follows recent resignations by several political officeholders in Oyo State from the PDP to the APM, particularly those seeking elective offices in the 2027 elections.
Among those expected to be unveiled are former Commissioner for Finance, Bimbo Adekanmbi, who is expected to emerge as the APM governorship candidate.
Others include Stanley Olajide, Olufemi Ajadi, and Shina Peller, who are expected to contest senatorial seats on the party’s platform.
House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates are also expected to be unveiled during the event.
Sources said the rally would be preceded by the signing of an alliance agreement between leaders of the APM and the Tanimu Turaki faction of the PDP.
A PDP source familiar with the arrangement said the alliance documents would be signed by representatives of both parties.
“We will sign forms of alliance with APM, involving its national chairman and our own side, led by Tanimu Turaki,” the source said.
“Governor Seyi Makinde will declare his presidential bid on the platform of the APM.”
Preparations for the rally have intensified, with political leaders and stakeholders from both camps expected to begin arriving in Ibadan on Wednesday.
Another source said the rally was expected to attract political stakeholders, youth groups, traditional supporters and allies from different parts of the country.
“Although the governor is yet to make an official public statement regarding his intention to contest the presidency in 2027, support groups and political associates have continued to intensify calls for him to join the race,” the source told The PUNCH.
According to insiders, grassroots mobilisation and consultations have intensified as part of a broader political strategy aimed at consolidating Makinde’s growing influence on the national stage.
The moves are also believed to be targeted at strengthening political structures across Oyo State and beyond ahead of the 2027 elections.
The latest development comes months after Makinde reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP following a January 2026 meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
At the time, the governor advocated a bipartisan approach to governance, especially on issues relating to insecurity and poverty.
He, however, clarified that bipartisanship did not amount to defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).