The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has accused the Presidency of targeting Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State because of what it described as growing anxiety over his political prospects, insisting that the governor would defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The opposition party stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, while reacting to comments credited to Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala, who reportedly described Makinde as politically inconsequential.

According to the APM, the Presidency’s decision to respond directly to Makinde instead of defending the administration’s performance reflects a lack of confidence in its achievements after more than three years in office.

The party argued that the outcome of the 2027 presidential election would determine who is truly inconsequential, maintaining that Makinde has emerged as a formidable challenger to President Tinubu.

“Rather than defend its record in office, the Presidency has chosen to attack personalities. The decision to deploy presidential aides to criticise Governor Makinde only shows a lack of confidence in its own achievements,”the statement read.

The APM also referenced an earlier interview granted by Bwala to Al Jazeera, stating that Nigerians were already familiar with what it described as the communication style of the current administration.

“Daniel Bwala would soon eat his own words against Governor Makinde,’’ the party added.

Expressing confidence in its presidential candidate, the party insisted that the 2027 race would be a straight contest between Makinde and Tinubu, predicting victory for the Oyo State governor.

Yusuf said Makinde would enter the election on the strength of what he described as an impressive record in Oyo State, including transforming the state’s economy, which he claimed many Nigerians would like to see replicated at the national level.

“President Tinubu should be jittery because Governor Makinde is coming into the contest with an intimidating record of performance, including transforming Oyo State into one of the country’s leading economies, a feat Nigerians want replicated at the national level,” he said.