Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has publicly asserted his qualification to run for the office of Nigeria’s president, while simultaneously expressing deep regret over his decision to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections. This declaration, made during a media chat on Tuesday at the Government House in Ibadan, highlighted the significant challenges currently facing the nation's democracy and prompted Makinde to reflect on his past political alliances and future aspirations.

Addressing persistent speculations regarding his potential political trajectory, Governor Makinde unequivocally stated his readiness to serve Nigeria at the highest level. "I have heard people saying, ‘Is Seyi trying to position himself for president’, to serve this country at the highest level. I am qualified," he affirmed. He candidly admitted, "I made a mistake, I supported the current president even in another party at that time because I thought he would do what is right for the country and bring people who can help the country, and I regret that action." He further acknowledged his human fallibility, stressing, "I am not above mistake."

Despite advice from some quarters to defer his presidential ambitions until after his gubernatorial tenure, Makinde questioned the rationale behind such caution. "People tell me to just stay low and wait till after my tenure as president, and even after 8 years, I will be 67. I can contest, but I say to them, ‘What are we afraid of? Death?’ Even if you’re afraid of death, you will still die," he remarked, underscoring a resolve to confront political challenges directly.

Makinde further elaborated on his leadership credentials, emphasising the critical blend of professional and political experience necessary for national leadership. He drew a parallel with the current president, noting, "Even the present president, what brought him to the presidency is that he was a governor of Lagos State." He highlighted his own extensive experience: "By May 2027, I would have been a two-term governor of Oyo State. Professionally, I ran a company at the young age of 29," positioning these achievements as foundational to his capacity for presidential leadership.

However, the governor clarified that his immediate focus is not solely on a presidential bid, but on a broader assessment of Nigeria's political climate. "Right now, I am not fixated on running or not running. If I correctly recalibrate the environment, then we need to go beyond PDP and talk about the survival of democracy," he explained, indicating a concern for systemic issues over personal ambition. He concluded by acknowledging the inherent unpredictability of Nigeria’s future political landscape, especially concerning the 2027 elections. "What Nigerians will show elites and political figures in 2027, we cannot imagine it right now," Makinde stated, hinting at potential shifts in voter sentiment and political dynamics.