Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that he has the capacity to lead Nigeria as president, but says any 2027 ambition will depend on the will of Nigerians and the direction of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television Tuesday night, Makinde said his performance as governor has shown that he is capable of holding the country’s highest office.
“I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land. I have what it takes,” he stated.
However, he was quick to temper the declaration with a note of caution, saying the decision to run for president must align with broader political realities.
“But is it what I want to do right now? Is it what Nigerians are asking for? Is it what my party will support? I don’t know. We still have a long way to go,” he added.
Makinde emphasized that his immediate focus is on delivering good governance and helping to rebuild the PDP.
“Where we are right now is to fix our party. You need a solid platform before you can even think of aspiring to anything,” he said.
Rejecting populist politics, the governor stressed that he is focused on fulfilling his current mandate in Oyo State and would only pursue future political ambitions with adequate preparation and a sense of responsibility.
“I’m not distracted. I’m not playing stunt politics,” he said. “One thing you can always expect from Seyi Makinde is that I’ll never declare an ambition without being prepared and ready to be held accountable.”
Reflecting on his political journey, Makinde said he remains content with his achievements, even if his career were to end now.
“When I joined politics in 2007, I wanted to go to the Senate. But I’ve gone beyond that. I’ve had the privilege of serving as governor, and I’m proud of the opportunity the people gave me to make a difference.”
