Oyo 2027: Ibadan Chiefs Back Tinubu Just Hours After Makinde Declares

A high-stakes political drama is unfolding in the Pacesetter State as traditional title holders in Ibadan, under the aegis of the Noble Chiefs Forum, have formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.

The move comes less than 24 hours after the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, officially declared his 2027 presidential ambition on the platform of a strategic alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

During a rally held in Ibadan on Friday, the chiefs insisted that the President remains the best choice for the Southwest and the nation, citing regional fairness and the need for continuity. They argued that it would be a disservice to the Yoruba race to oppose a second term for the incumbent, whom they credited with stabilizing the economy and empowering state governments through increased federal allocations.

“President Tinubu has no rival in the Southwest,” a spokesperson for the forum stated. “Former President Muhammadu Buhari completed an eight-year tenure, and it is only just that a Yoruba man is allowed to do the same. We have seen the benefits of his reforms, which have enabled our governors to pay the new minimum wage and execute meaningful infrastructure projects.”

The timing of the endorsement is being viewed by political analysts as a direct counter-narrative to Governor Makinde’s “Unity Mega Rally” held on Thursday at the historic Mapo Hall. At that event, Makinde unveiled a PDP-APM coalition, positioning himself as a candidate for a “new direction” for Nigeria—a move that has already sparked internal friction within the PDP national leadership.

By declaring their loyalty to “Jagaban” almost immediately after their governor’s declaration, the Ibadan chiefs have sent a strong signal of a divided house within Oyo State. The endorsement underscores a growing tension between the political ambition of the state executive and the traditional hierarchy, who appear determined to protect the current power structure in Abuja.

As the 2027 race begins to crystallize, Oyo State has firmly established itself as the epicenter of a looming political battle between regional loyalty and the emergence of a new national coalition.