2027: APM Names Bala as Makinde’s Running Mate

The Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) has named Bauchi-born politician, Ibrahim Adamu Bala, as the running mate to its presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, for the 2027 presidential election.

The development completes the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 polls, with details on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) candidate nomination portal confirming Bala, 51, as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.

The nomination gives the APM a South-North ticket, with Makinde from Oyo State in the South-West and Bala from Bauchi State in the North-East.

A senior party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Makinde had concluded the nomination process by submitting the name of his running mate to INEC.

“You cannot submit your presidential nomination without a running mate. The nomination has been filed,” the source said.

The official also dismissed reports suggesting that Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed was linked to the nomination, explaining that the similarity in names had created confusion.

“There is no connection at all. They only have similar names. The running mate is Ibrahim Adamu Bala, not Bala Mohammed. I laughed when I saw the report because I knew people would confuse the two,” the source added.

Although Bala’s name has appeared on the INEC candidate nomination portal, neither the APM nor Makinde had issued an official statement on the nomination as of the time this report was filed.

Makinde, who is serving his second and final term as governor of Oyo State, formally declared his presidential ambition on May 14 during a joint rally organised by his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APM at Mapo Hall in Ibadan.

The declaration followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two political platforms at the PDP South-West Zonal Secretariat in Ibadan, where both parties agreed to work together ahead of the 2027 general election.

At the rally, Makinde said the alliance would field candidates for all elective positions, from the presidency to state Houses of Assembly, while urging opposition parties to unite in a bid to unseat the ruling party.

He formally accepted the APM presidential ticket on May 30 in Ibadan, pledging to address insecurity, unemployment, hunger and the rising cost of living if elected president.

Makinde also promised to decentralise Nigeria’s security architecture by granting greater powers to state governments to tackle insecurity more effectively, describing the reform as critical to improving safety across the country.