Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has picked former Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Lawal Musa Daura, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde announced Daura’s selection on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the APM national convention at the Dr Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu Square, Government House, Bauchi.
Daura replaces Ibrahim Adamu Bala, who was announced as Makinde’s running mate on July 13.
The former intelligence chief joined the APM on Sunday, August 9, after quitting the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he had contested the 2027 governorship ticket in Katsina State.
Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita emerged as the ADC candidate, after which Daura challenged aspects of the selection process and left the party.
His move to the APM came four days before his emergence as Makinde’s running mate.
Makinde said Daura’s security experience informed the choice, citing Nigeria’s security challenges. Daura headed the SSS from 2015 until his removal in 2018.
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Speaking at the convention, Makinde said the opposition must offer Nigerians more than a bid to dislodge the government in 2027.
He urged opposition parties to work together on a credible alternative anchored on clear programmes, records and measurable results.
Makinde said the election should focus on the economy, jobs, education, healthcare, agriculture and security, with government performance judged by its impact on citizens.
He also advocated greater devolution of powers and resources to states and local governments, alongside stronger accountability.
At the convention, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed was inaugurated as APM national leader, while Yusuf Mamman Dantalle was re-elected national chairman.
Mohammed endorsed the Makinde-Daura ticket, describing Makinde as capable of leading Nigeria and citing his engineering background as an advantage in tackling development challenges.
Dantalle said Nigeria had the resources to prosper but needed effective leadership. He urged Nigerians across ethnic, religious and regional lines to support the APM and called on party members to take its message of unity and development nationwide.
The convention formally sets the APM’s national structure and presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election.