By Sabiu Abdullahi
Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has selected former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
The announcement was made on Thursday at the APM national convention held at the Government House in Bauchi.
A statement by Dotun Oyelade, Oyo State Commissioner for Information, said Makinde unveiled Daura as his choice for the vice-presidential slot at the gathering.
Makinde said the former DSS chief was selected in response to the security challenges facing the country. He expressed confidence that Daura’s experience would help address the insecurity affecting Nigerians.
The governor also said he was prepared to tackle the country’s worsening poverty situation, which he attributed to poorly implemented policies over the past three years.
The APM candidate said his administration would seek cooperation with politicians who share his vision as part of efforts to improve the country after the 2027 election.
Makinde declared his intention to contest the presidency on May 14 at a joint mega-rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APM in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
At the time, he said his decision to seek the presidency was driven by the need to reset the country. He also maintained that the challenge extended beyond securing victory at the polls, as Nigerians deserved a genuine opportunity to determine the nation’s direction.
Daura served as DSS Director-General from July 2015 until August 2018. His tenure ended after he was reportedly removed over a controversial DSS operation at the National Assembly complex.
Before his latest political move, Daura was an aspirant for the governorship ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Katsina State.
He resigned from the ADC on Sunday and announced plans to join the APM. He cited what he described as injustice and instability within the party as reasons for his departure.
Daura’s selection by Makinde marks another major development in the political realignment ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
