The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has picked Ibrahim Adamu Bala as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
The development completes the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the general election.
Details on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal show that Bala, 51, is from Bauchi State, giving the APM a North-South ticket as it positions itself for the 2027 polls.
Sources familiar with the nomination process said Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed was instrumental in Bala’s emergence, having nominated him during consultations aimed at strengthening the party’s chances, particularly in the North-East.
Although neither the APM nor the Makinde campaign has officially announced the choice, Bala’s details have been uploaded to the INEC nomination portal, confirming his emergence as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
Makinde, who is serving his second and final term as governor of Oyo State, declared his presidential ambition on 14 May at a joint rally of his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APM at Mapo Hall in Ibadan.
The declaration followed both groups signing a Memorandum of Understanding at the PDP South-West Zonal Secretariat in Ibadan to work together ahead of the 2027 elections.
Addressing supporters at the rally, Makinde said the alliance would field candidates for all elective offices, from the presidency to the state Houses of Assembly, and urged opposition parties to remain united ahead of the polls.
On 30 May, the Governor formally accepted the APM presidential ticket in Ibadan, where he pledged to “reset” Nigeria through reforms aimed at addressing insecurity, unemployment, hunger and the rising cost of living.
Receiving the party’s Certificate of Return and flag from APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle, Makinde also promised to decentralise the country’s security architecture and give states greater powers to tackle security challenges if elected president.
