Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Seyi Makinde, has selected former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Musa Daura, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde made the announcement on Thursday during the APM’s elective National Convention in Bauchi, where new national officers of the party were also elected.
The choice of Daura comes as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 general election, with the APM positioning itself as an alternative to the major political parties.
Makinde said the opposition’s responsibility ahead of the election should go beyond seeking to take control of government. He said the focus should be on offering Nigerians a clear alternative and presenting plans capable of improving the country.
The governor also said the 2027 campaign would likely be filled with promises and political messages from different candidates. He, however, said voters should look beyond campaign statements and carefully consider what each candidate intends to do if elected.
Daura, a former head of the nation’s domestic intelligence agency, recently joined the APM after leaving the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
His selection replaces Ibrahim Adamu Bala, who had earlier been named as Makinde’s running mate. Bala’s nomination was reportedly intended to serve as a temporary arrangement before the party settled on its final choice.
Makinde’s decision to pick Daura brings a former senior security official into the APM’s presidential ticket as the party prepares to campaign for the 2027 election.
The APM held its national convention in Bauchi as part of its preparations for the election. The party also returned Yusuf Dantalle as its National Chairman and elected other members of its national leadership.
The selection of Daura is expected to form part of the party’s wider strategy as it seeks to attract voters and build support across the country ahead of the presidential contest.
Makinde has maintained that the opposition must provide Nigerians with a genuine choice in 2027, rather than simply seeking to replace the party currently in power.