Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has picked former Director-General of the Department of State Services Lawal Daura, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election under the Allied Peoples Movement, APM,
Makinde unveiled Daura on Thursday at the APM National Convention in Bauchi State, replacing Ibrahim Adamu Bala, who had earlier been announced as the presidential candidate’s running mate.
The earlier choice was reportedly regarded as a temporary arrangement pending the selection of a substantive running mate. Makinde emerged as the APM presidential candidate after winning the party’s presidential primary in Ibadan.
His decision to contest the 2027 presidential election under the APM followed internal challenges and unresolved legal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party, where he had previously been politically active.
The emergence of Daura, a former head of Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency, gives Makinde’s campaign a prominent security figure as he seeks to build a political platform capable of challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other contenders in the 2027 presidential race.
Daura joined the APM in August after leaving the African Democratic Congress, where he had reportedly been seeking the party’s governorship ticket in Katsina State.
Explaining his decision to enter partisan politics, the former DSS chief said his move was motivated by concerns over insecurity, leadership and the country’s economic challenges.
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“I joined politics not to achieve personal ambition, but because of my concern for the country and its people. I want to change people’s belief that lies, dishonesty and deception are part of politics,” Daura said.
He also rejected claims that his exit from the ADC was solely linked to his failure to secure the party’s governorship ticket in Katsina State.
According to him, he had left the party months earlier but deliberately kept his political plans private while considering his next move.
Daura said his decision to join the APM was driven by a desire to contribute to national development rather than pursue personal political ambition.
He described the APM as a party capable of winning the 2027 election and called on Nigerians to support its candidates.
He also promised to pursue practical reforms in critical sectors, particularly oil and gas and agriculture, as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.
FrankTalkNow
