​The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) is hurtling toward a high-stakes internal power struggle ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as a powerful coalition of party stakeholders has officially thrown its weight behind development economist and Bauchi politician, Dr. Ibrahim Waziri.

​The surprise endorsement, coming from party leaders representing over 30 states, has effectively fired the opening salvo in what is shaping up to be a fierce battle for the party’s presidential ticket. The move is a direct challenge to the growing speculation surrounding Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who has been widely touted as a potential contender for the APM ticket.

​Proponents of the Waziri candidacy, spearheaded by political strategist Isa Mohammed, are moving aggressively to consolidate support across the 19 Northern states. Mohammed did not mince words when addressing the perceived influence of the Oyo State Governor, dismissing his political reach as being confined to a narrow regional base.

​“Makinde’s support is restricted to Oyo and Osun states only where he was pronounced as presidential candidate,” Mohammed stated. “We are confident that Dr. Ibrahim is receiving the support of politicians that matter in Nigeria who are all positioned to take over power in 2027.”

​The coalition is positioning Dr. Waziri—a seasoned veteran of the Third Republic who notably participated in the historic 1993 Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries—as a candidate with deeper national appeal and a superior political network compared to his rivals. Supporters highlight his background as a pioneer in Nigeria’s indigenous telecommunications sector and his academic pedigree in Political Economy from the United States as evidence of his readiness to navigate the country’s complex economic challenges.

​The endorsement comes at a critical juncture, as political actors begin to realign in anticipation of the official nomination window. While Governor Makinde’s camp has remained silent on the rising opposition within the party, the emergence of the “Waziri for 2027” movement signals that the APM leadership will likely face an intense, protracted conflict before a standard-bearer is finally settled.

​As the party gears up for what promises to be a defining primary, the divide between the Northern-backed coalition and the supporters of Governor Makinde underscores the volatile, early-stage maneuvering that will define the 2027 race. For now, the stakeholders backing Waziri maintain that his vision—focused on national security, poverty alleviation, and democratic accountability—is the only path forward to rescue the party and the nation from its current trajectory.

​With the endorsement now public, all eyes remain on the APM national secretariat to see how the party manages this looming collision between two distinct political blocs.