APM Unveils Makinde’s Running Mate, Dismisses Bala Mohammed Link

The Allied Peoples’ Movement, APM, has selected Ibrahim Adamu Bala as the running mate to its presidential candidate and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, ahead of the 2027 general election.

Information published on the candidate nomination portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission showed that the 51-year-old vice-presidential candidate hails from Bauchi State.

The choice gives the APM a South-North presidential ticket, with Makinde from Oyo State in the South-West and Bala from the North-East.

Although the party and its presidential candidate had yet to formally announce the nomination as of the time of filing this report, Bala’s details on the INEC portal confirmed that he had been submitted as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.

A senior official of the APM, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Makinde had completed the submission of his presidential nomination alongside his running mate.

The official explained that the electoral process required every presidential candidate to nominate a running mate before completing the submission of relevant documents.

“You cannot submit your presidential nomination without a running mate. The nomination has been filed,” the source said.

The development ends speculation over who would join Makinde on the APM ticket as opposition parties intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential contest.

The APM official also dismissed reports suggesting that Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, had been selected as Makinde’s running mate.

According to the source, the confusion arose because the Bauchi governor and the nominated vice-presidential candidate have similar names.

The official clarified that Makinde’s running mate is Ibrahim Adamu Bala and not Governor Bala Mohammed, who is reportedly pursuing a senatorial ambition.

“There is no connection at all. They only have similar names. The running mate is Ibrahim Adamu Bala, not Bala Mohammed. I laughed when I saw the report because I knew people would confuse the two,” the source added.

The appearance of Ibrahim Bala’s name on the INEC nomination portal further confirmed his selection, despite the absence of a formal statement from Makinde or the APM leadership.

Makinde, who is serving his second and final term as governor of Oyo State, declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on May 14.

He made the declaration during a joint political rally organised by his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party and the APM at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The declaration followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the PDP faction and the APM at the PDP South-West Zonal Secretariat in Ibadan.

Speaking at the rally, Makinde said the alliance would present candidates for all elective positions, ranging from the presidency to seats in the state Houses of Assembly.

He also called on opposition political parties and leaders to close ranks and build a united platform capable of contesting the 2027 elections.

On May 30, Makinde formally accepted the APM presidential ticket at an event in Ibadan.

The governor pledged that his administration would prioritise the fight against insecurity, unemployment, hunger and the rising cost of living should he emerge victorious in the presidential election.

He also promised to decentralise the country’s security system and grant state governments greater authority to respond to security threats within their territories.

Makinde argued that allowing states to exercise more control over security would improve intelligence gathering and enable authorities to respond more swiftly to local challenges.

With the nomination of Bala, the APM has completed its presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election, although the party is expected to formally unveil the vice-presidential candidate and provide further details about his political and professional background.