The Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland has rejected an alleged endorsement of Seyi Makinde for the 2027 presidential election after a video showed people claiming to represent Mogajis and other community stakeholders backing the Oyo State governor.
According to a joint statement by Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, President of the Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland, and Mogaji Dr Nurudeen Akinade, Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), neither organisation authorised the declaration. The leaders said the association, which has more than 400 Mogajis under Ariori, was not consulted.
The people in the video also backed Bimbo Adekanmbi as the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate in Oyo State for the 2027 election. Ariori and Akinade said the declaration did not represent Ibadan’s traditional leadership.
They said the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and the Baales in Ibadanland had no involvement.
“The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Olubadan-in-Council and CCII including all Baales in Ibadanland don’t know anything about the endorsement,” the statement said.
The two leaders urged Nigerians and Oyo State residents to disregard the video, describing the action behind it as “a schematic drama and theatre.”
Makinde is seeking the presidency under the APM after securing the party’s ticket at its primary election in Ibadan. His campaign has focused on governance, economic development, security and public services.
At the inauguration of the APM presidential campaign office in Abuja, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed backed Makinde’s candidacy. Mohammed said, “Whoever disregards us is at his own peril, we are here to reset Nigeria and we are bringing in one of the best human capitals that Nigeria has ever produced at the sub-national and national level, that is Makinde.”
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi also backed Makinde at the event. Obi said, “We want a Nigeria of unity, inclusion; we have a candidate who is contesting for President today, my dear brother Makinde. Is he qualified to be President? Yes, he is qualified.”
Obi called for a free and credible 2027 election and said politicians should work together after the poll. “Whoever wins genuinely from a free, fair, and credible election, we will all work together to save this country from collapse,” he said.
