Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has alleged that an unnamed APC chieftain warned him not to contest the 2027 presidential election against President Bola Tinubu, claiming the EFCC later sought extensive records of the state’s finances without identifying any specific allegation.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has alleged that he came under political pressure shortly after publicly expressing confidence that he was capable of leading Nigeria, claiming an unnamed chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) warned him not to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde made the claim in the 142nd edition of his newsletter while reacting to a recent Federal High Court judgment involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Oyo State Government.
‘Don’t Contest Against Tinubu’
According to the governor, the incident dates back to April 2025, when he stated during a television interview that he possessed the capacity to serve as Nigeria’s president, although he stopped short of formally declaring his ambition.
Makinde said that shortly after the APC adopted President Tinubu as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election, an unnamed APC chieftain contacted him and advised him not to enter the race against the President.
EFCC Probe Began After Warning, Makinde Claims
The governor further alleged that one day after the warning, the EFCC wrote to the Oyo State Accountant-General requesting copies of government contracts and payment records dating from 2021.
According to Makinde, the anti-graft agency did not identify any contractor, transaction or specific allegation it was investigating.
He said the state government requested clarification from the EFCC on the subject of the investigation but received no response, prompting the state to seek judicial intervention.
Court Rules on EFCC’s Request
Makinde’s comments followed a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Ibadan.
The court affirmed that the EFCC has constitutional powers to investigate financial crimes but held that requests for information must be tied to a specific allegation and not amount to what the judge described as a speculative or broad “fishing expedition.”
The ruling did not strip the EFCC of its investigative powers but required that such powers be exercised within the limits of the law.
No Response Yet from APC, EFCC
As of the time of filing this report, the APC had not publicly responded to Makinde’s allegation that one of its chieftains warned him against contesting the presidency.
Similarly, the EFCC has not issued a fresh statement addressing Makinde’s latest political claims. The Commission has consistently maintained that it is empowered by law to investigate financial crimes where necessary.