Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde urges PDP governorship aspirants to start campaigns for 2027 elections despite internal party crisis

The Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has urged anyone seeking to run for the state’s governorship in 2027 to start their campaigns in earnest, while encouraging aspirants to do so under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite ongoing internal crises.

Also read: Makinde Says Successor Must Prioritise Oyo People

Makinde made the announcement on Thursday while addressing party faithful in Ibadan, noting that aspirants should proceed without being deterred by litigation and leadership disputes within the party.

“Today, I have freed everyone. Anyone who wants to contest for Oyo State Governor in 2027, please bring out your billboards. Don’t be bothered about the PDP crisis. Go ahead and put the PDP logo on your billboards,” he said.

The PDP has faced significant defections since the 2023 general elections, losing key lawmakers and governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including the latest defection by the governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri.

The call comes shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the final list of candidates for the August 8, 2026, governorship election in Osun State, in which both the PDP and Labour Party (LP) were absent.

Makinde’s statement signals an attempt to rally party loyalists and reinforce the PDP’s visibility ahead of the 2027 elections in Oyo State.