Seyi Makinde calls on Tinubu to protect Nigeria's opposition
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is asking President Bola Tinubu to preserve the independence of the judiciary and electoral institutions amid difficulties facing the ADC, the main opposition party. He warns against using institutions to weaken political opponents ahead of the 2027 presidential election, according to an interview with Bauchi Radio Broadcasting.
Oyo State Governor and 2027 Nigerian presidential candidate Seyi Makinde called on the federal government to preserve the independence of the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and not use institutions against opposition parties, according to Punch. He was reacting to a decision by the Federal High Court in Abuja that invalidated the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, as well as the process that selected former vice-president Atiku Abubakar as the party's presidential candidate.
Makinde said the judicial decision also put Atiku Abubakar's candidacy under pressure and called on President Bola Tinubu's administration to allow opposition parties to take part in the 2027 presidential election. He urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the face of the economic and other difficulties confronting the country, saying they could be overcome, according to Punch.
Seyi Makinde's call came a day after a Nigerian court invalidated Atiku's candidacy for 2027, on 5 November. The decision also concerned the ADC leadership headed by David Mark, according to Punch.
Update of 7 November 2026: Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, attributed the economic difficulties faced by millions of Nigerians to inadequate planning by Bola Tinubu's government. Read: Seyi Makinde accuses Tinubu of poorly planning his economic reforms.
Update of 7 November 2026: Seyi Makinde called on Nigerian voters to accept money offered by the APC during the 2027 presidential campaign while voting according to their conscience. Read: Seyi Makinde calls on voters to accept APC election money.
