The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has again dismissed Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition as a publicity stunt. The party described it as a political drama script meant to entertain and distract residents, and warned that those behind it will be made to refund any state money spent on it at the appropriate time.
The APC’s comment came after Governor Makinde spoke on Saturday about his plans after office. He said he would be available to receive many chieftaincy titles once his tenure ends in May 2027, adding that he would be free and would have nothing serious to do again at that time.
At the event, the governor was installed as the Aare Asoludero of Ibarapaland by the Eleruwa of Eruwa. He spoke for several minutes during the ceremony, addressing guests and community leaders who turned out for the occasion. 
The APC, however, said the governor did not use the opportunity to speak on any concrete next political project. According to the party, the remarks were vague and offered no direction on governance or future plans.
In a statement released over the weekend in Ibadan, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, cautioned Governor Makinde against issuing threats to citizens. The APC said the governor should not target traditional rulers and religious leaders simply because they receive APC candidates and supporters in palaces and places of worship.
The party further argued that Makinde does not have the capacity to contest President Bola Tinubu in 2027. It claimed the governor is only trying to make noise and attract attention from the global community, without a realistic path to the presidency.
The APC also accused Makinde of wasting the resources of the Pacesetter State on what it called a doomed ambition. It said he cannot achieve his aim of becoming the “Political Comedian of the Year” without draining public funds, and that this would not serve the interest of Oyo people.
The statement said Makinde knows that running for president is not a child’s play. The APC insisted he lacks the personal qualities, experience and strategy required for the office in 2027, yet he is presenting himself as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, which the party described as structureless.
The APC noted that Makinde can afford to put up campaign posters and billboards in parts of Oyo and Bauchi states, but that will not change the outcome. It predicted that even if he gets on the ballot, the best he could achieve is a distant eighth position.
Finally, the party said most Nigerians, including leaders of thought, believe President Tinubu is the best for the country, and that attention will shift to a likely successor from the North after his re-election in 2027. The APC concluded that Makinde cannot be trusted to lead Nigeria at this time, and that his political journey is being monitored. It added that he will be made to account for all public funds wasted on the effort.
