APM South-South Chairmen Pass Vote of No Confidence in Seyi Makinde Over Campaign Handling.
Six state leaders accuse Oyo governor of sidelining party structures and mishandling the 2027 presidential campaign.
ABUJA, Nigeria — The iNews Times | APM South-South chairmen have formally passed a vote of no confidence in the party’s presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, over what they describe as a deeply flawed approach to the 2027 general election campaign.
In a strongly worded joint statement released on Wednesday, the six chairmen accused Makinde of undermining established party structures, appointing campaign coordinators who are not members of the Allied Peoples Movement, and using the platform primarily to advance his personal political ambitions.
In this report, we examine the key developments, reactions from stakeholders, and the broader implications.
Background of the Story
The Allied Peoples Movement https://apm.org.ng has been positioning itself as an alternative platform ahead of the 2027 elections, with Seyi Makinde, the serving governor of Oyo State, emerging as its presidential flagbearer. Party leaders in the South-South zone had expected closer collaboration with the candidate and respect for existing state structures. Instead, tension has grown over the past months as campaign coordination appeared increasingly centralised around Makinde’s preferred aides rather than the party’s elected leadership. The latest development marks the most public and coordinated rejection of his leadership by any regional bloc within the APM.
Key Developments
The statement, signed by the chairmen of all six South-South states, expressed deep concern over “inadequate recognition, consultation and engagement with the party’s established leadership in organising the presidential campaign.”
The signatories are Dagodog Whyte (Rivers), Mrs Peace Osarama (Bayelsa), Utuku Abangaye Edet (Akwa Ibom), Ugoigwe Onyeka Ogechukwu (Edo), Prince Henry Ese (Delta), and Ntami Nkanu Esage (Cross River).
They accused Makinde of dishonesty, alleged mishandling of funds, and a general failure of leadership. The chairmen stated that the presidential candidate “lacks substance, the political will and focus to lead us right.” They further charged that he has consistently bypassed existing party structures across the country, preferring to install campaign coordinators drawn from outside the APM fold.
According to the statement, Makinde is treating the party as a personal vehicle rather than a collective organisation with established leadership and internal processes.
Reactions from Stakeholders
One of the signatories, speaking on condition of anonymity because the formal statement was meant to speak for all, told The iNews Times that the decision was not taken lightly. “We waited, we engaged, and we hoped for correction. What we received instead was continued disregard. This vote of no confidence is a necessary stand to protect the integrity of the party in the South-South,” the chairman said.
Party sources in the zone confirmed that several earlier private complaints about the composition of campaign teams and the flow of resources had gone unanswered. The public statement is therefore being viewed within APM circles as both a protest and a warning.
Implications
The open revolt by the entire South-South leadership of the APM carries significant political weight. The zone remains strategically important for any serious national campaign. A fractured relationship between the presidential candidate and the party’s regional chairmen risks undermining grassroots mobilisation, voter outreach, and internal cohesion at a time when the APM needs to present a united front.
It also raises questions about Makinde’s ability to manage internal party dynamics beyond his home base in the South-West. For a candidate seeking national relevance, sustained opposition from an entire geopolitical zone could weaken both organisational capacity and public perception of his leadership.
What Happens Next
Attention now turns to how Makinde and the national leadership of the APM will respond. Party watchers expect either a conciliatory outreach aimed at restoring confidence among the South-South chairmen or a further hardening of positions. The coming weeks will reveal whether the crisis can be managed quietly or whether it will escalate into a wider internal struggle ahead of the 2027 contests.
Conclusion
The vote of no confidence by the APM South-South chairmen has laid bare serious cracks in the party’s presidential campaign structure. How Seyi Makinde and the APM hierarchy address these grievances will determine whether the party can present a credible and united challenge in 2027 or whether internal divisions will continue to define its trajectory. The iNews Times will continue to track developments as the situation unfolds.
