APC chieftain warned me against contesting against Tinubu in 2027 - Makinde

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has disclosed that a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) cautioned him against challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. Makinde, who is the governor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, shared this information in his July 2026 monthly newsletter. The warning came after President Tinubu was endorsed as the APC's sole presidential candidate for the upcoming election.

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An APC chieftain warned me on June 1, 2025, against contesting the 2027 presidential election after President Bola Tinubu was endorsed as the APC’s sole candidate.

Makinde connected this warning to a subsequent action by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He stated that one day after receiving the warning, the EFCC requested copies of all contracts and payments made by the Oyo State Government since 2021. Notably, the EFCC did not specify any particular contractor, company, transaction, or alleged offense in its request.

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The EFCC’s proposed investigation into Oyo State’s finances, particularly the demands contained in its letter of 2 June 2025, was speculative and amounted to a fishing expedition.

This action prompted the Oyo State Government to seek judicial intervention. The Federal High Court in Ibadan subsequently ruled on the matter, restraining the EFCC from proceeding with its broad investigation into the state's finances. While acknowledging the EFCC's statutory powers to investigate financial infractions, the court emphasized that these powers must be exercised strictly within the bounds of the Nigerian Constitution and the rule of law. The court described the EFCC's request as "speculative" and a "fishing expedition," affirming the plaintiffs' constitutional right to a fair hearing.

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His Lordship noted that the constitutional rights of the plaintiffs to fair hearing could not be trampled upon under the guise of investigation.