I Have What It Takes to Lead Nigeria, But 2027 Presidency Depends on the People and My Party – Governor Makinde
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that he has the capacity to lead Nigeria as President come 2027.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Makinde said his track record as governor has proven his readiness for the country’s highest office.
“I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land, and I have what it takes,” he stated.
However, the governor admitted that while he believes in his ability, he’s unsure if it aligns with the current expectations of Nigerians or his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“But is it what I want to do right now? Is it what Nigerians are asking for? Is it what my party will say we should do? I don’t know. We still have a long time to go,” he added.
Makinde emphasized that the immediate priority for PDP leaders is to rebuild and stabilize the party. “Where we are right now is, you know, we must fix our party. You must have a platform for you to even aspire to be anything,” he said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to effective governance over political gamesmanship, stating he would not be distracted by populist moves. “Right now, I am focusing on what people, what they’ve given to me, the task ahead of us, and so, I’m not distracted, and I will not play stunt politics.”
Makinde also stressed that any future political ambition would be carefully planned and backed by accountability. “One thing you should expect from Seyi Makinde is that he will never come out to say, ‘Look, I want to do this, do X, Y, Z,’ without preparation and without being held accountable for whatever it is that I say I want to do.”
Reflecting on his political journey, Makinde expressed contentment with how far he has come. “If my political journey ends right here, I am also very happy. When I joined politics in 2007, I wanted to go to the Senate. I wanted to be a senator. But now, not only have I achieved more than that by being the governor of my state, I’ve also cherished the opportunity that people gave to me to make my own little difference.”
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