The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2023 Dekina/Bassa House of Representatives election in Kogi State, Usman Okai Austin, has said Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is well qualified to become Nigeria’s next president.
He opined that the Oyo State governor’s leadership over two terms had proven that he was capable of handling the presidency.
In a statement, Mr. Okai denied claims that Mr. Makinde was a spy working for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“There’s no harm in the governor running for the presidency,” he said.
“The decision to participate or not is his alone,” Okai said, granting Makinde the right to race if he wishes.
Okai noted that the 2027 PDP presidential election will be decided by representatives from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“It may be too early to speculate, but Makinde represents a generational shift in Nigerian politics that resonates with the younger generation.
“As one of Nigeria’s prominent PDP leaders, Mr. Makinde has established a nationwide network that can support his candidacy for the presidential election."
The PDP leader stressed that any decision by the governor to pursue higher office would be an important milestone for the party, which is increasingly focused on youth-led leadership and change.
“Although Makinde, a key figure in the PDP, has not commented on the 2027 presidential election, his commitment to public services and development governance in Oyo State is widely known,” he added.
