Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has asserted that the 2027 presidential race will be driven by economic hardship, not political realignments. Speaking at a recent event, the governor emphasized that rising hunger and public discontent will be the dominant factors influencing voters—not defections or internal wrangling within parties.
Makinde warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against focusing on party defections, urging it instead to tackle Nigeria’s deepening economic crisis head-on. “Forget defections. The 2027 contest is between Tinubu and the hungry masses,” he declared. “Until hunger joins the APC, there’s no cause for alarm.”
He further stressed that poverty and food insecurity are reshaping the country’s political landscape, insisting that voter sentiment in 2027 will reflect the economic pain felt by millions of Nigerians.
Makinde also criticized the PDP’s over-reliance on prominent figures at the expense of grassroots structures. Drawing on PDP’s 2017 electoral success in Oyo despite internal turmoil, he called on party leaders to reconnect with citizens and prioritize policies that deliver real relief to struggling communities.
“Let whoever wants to defect go—we’ll stand with the people,” Makinde said, urging his party to act decisively and restore its credibility as a pro-people platform in the face of widespread hardship.
His remarks come as PDP grapples with leadership instability, while Nigeria battles inflation, unemployment, and escalating food prices.
