The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has commenced the expansion of his 2027 presidential campaign into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other key regions of the country. Running under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Makinde’s team has prioritised direct engagement with grassroots populations, specifically targeting traders within Abuja’s major markets.
This movement represents a shift for the Oyo State Governor, who is transitioning from regional governance to a national political platform. The campaign’s recent activities in Abuja markets and other locations aim to build momentum among the informal sector, a critical voting demographic in Nigeria’s political landscape.
By taking the campaign to the markets, the APM seeks to bypass traditional political structures and connect directly with the economic drivers of the capital. The visits are designed to introduce Makinde’s policy proposals to small-scale business owners and artisans who are central to the FCT’s local economy.
National grassroots mobilization strategy
The decision to focus on market hubs is a calculated attempt to establish a national presence ahead of the 2027 general elections. Historically, successful presidential bids in Nigeria require more than just regional strength; they necessitate a broad-based coalition that spans different geopolitical zones and economic classes.
For Makinde, the 2027 bid through the APM offers a challenge to the established dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The campaign’s focus on Abuja suggests an effort to capture the attention of both the political elite and the working-class citizens residing in the capital.
Political analysts suggest that the success of such third-party movements depends heavily on their ability to penetrate the informal economy. Market traders often serve as influential community leaders, and their endorsement can impact voter turnout in urban centres.
The expansion of the campaign is expected to move beyond the FCT into other commercial hubs across the six geopolitical zones. The immediate focus remains on assessing the reception of the APM’s platform in the capital, with subsequent stages of the tour planned to address specific regional economic concerns.
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