KEY PONTS

• Makinde picks ex-SSS DG Lawal Daura.
• Security is central to the ticket.
• Makinde pledges to fight poverty.

The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Seyi Makinde, has selected former Director-General of the State Security Service, Lawal Musa Daura, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

Makinde announced Daura’s choice at the APM national convention held at the Rilwan Adamu Square in Bauchi on Thursday, shortly after he was formally adopted as the party’s presidential candidate.

The governor of Oyo State said Daura was deliberately selected because of his experience in intelligence and national security, particularly as Nigeria continues to grapple with terrorism, kidnapping and other security challenges.

Daura served as Director-General of the SSS from 2015 to 2018 before he was removed from office by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Makinde’s decision places national security at the centre of his campaign as he prepares to challenge President Bola Tinubu and other contenders in the 2027 presidential race.

The convention also formally confirmed Makinde as the presidential candidate of the APM ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The governor pledged to work with politicians and political groups that share his vision for a better Nigeria, signalling his intention to build broader political cooperation ahead of the election.

He said such cooperation would be necessary to achieve meaningful political and economic changes in the country.

Governor promises to tackle poverty

Makinde also promised to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty, blaming the worsening economic situation on what he described as poorly implemented government policies over the past three years.

He presented his political ambition as an effort to provide an alternative direction for Nigerians and improve living conditions.

The governor did not limit his message to security, indicating that economic hardship and poverty reduction would also form key parts of his political agenda ahead of 2027.

Makinde said the decision to hold the convention in Bauchi was significant because the state was the home of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

The choice of Bauchi therefore carried historical significance for the party as it formally launched its presidential campaign preparations.

With Daura as his running mate, Makinde is positioning his ticket around the former intelligence chief’s experience in national security and intelligence gathering.

The choice is expected to make security a major component of the APM’s campaign message as the party seeks to distinguish itself ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Makinde’s emergence as the APM candidate and Daura’s selection as his running mate now set the stage for the party to begin broader mobilisation and coalition-building ahead of the elections.