Declaration Speech of HE Seyi Makinde, FNSE, Ibadan, Oyo State
Being the declaration speech by His Excellency Seyi Makinde, FNSE, the Executive Governor of Oyo State at the Unity Mega Rally of the Grand Alliance Between PDP and APM at Mapo Hall Ibadan on Thursday, 14 May 2026
Let me start by appreciating the good people of Oyo State for giving us the opportunity to serve them these past seven years and for their unwavering support. In this transition period the song that you have been singing continues to ring in my head.
“Ibi ti Seyi lo ni a wa nlo”
Today, we are all here at this mega rally to announce the grand alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples’ Movement. We must trace our steps to understand how we arrived here.
In the past few years, we have found ourselves at a point in our political history as a nation where the very foundation of democracy is being shaken.
We have witnessed the continuous meddling in the affairs of opposition parties in our dear country with the aim of taking Nigeria to a one-party system. Without a multiparty system there is no democracy. So where is our multiparty?
The economic and security situations have continued to deteriorate putting the majority of Nigerians on survival mode on a daily basis. Those charged with the responsibility of looking out for the welfare of citizens are treating the authority they hold in trust as personal property that they can wield as they please.
That is why for the last several months, one question has been at the top of my mind.
Is this the way we are to continue as a nation?
We have been pushed to the wall with the belief that we will turn against ourselves in confusion or worse still, that we will become too weary from trying to survive on a daily basis to fight back.
They calculated and said opposition cannot unite. But I am here today to say it is a miscalculation. The opposition in Nigeria is not just the political parties. It is the everyday Nigerian for whom the country does not work. And even the opposition political parties in Nigeria remain collectively resolved to work together to present an alternative.
This is the time for every one of us to shake off the apathy that is gradually taking root and engage with the political process to ensure that Nigeria works for us.
It is time to confront our fears!
It is time to be engaged citizens and not spectators in our own country!
And for the opposition political parties, this is a time to unite, one party at a time and work in unity to give our dear nation the hard reset that it needs.
The time to reset Nigeria is now!
And so today in Oyo State, in Ibadan, the city of warriors.
Ogun o ko wa ri, abi beko?
The first grand alliance is formed.
An alliance of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM).
This handshake will enable us field candidates at all levels.
We will field candidates top to bottom!
Therefore, today, I Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, FNSE, announce my candidacy for the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the PDP/APM alliance.
Thank you and God bless you all.
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Seyi Makinde, FNSE, 14 May 2026
