2027: Makinde Stuns Political Scene, Picks Ex-DSS Boss Lawal Daura as Running Mate

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has unveiled former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election. The announcement was made on Thursday at the APM’s elective National Convention in Bauchi.

The choice of Daura represents a significant development in the emerging political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, as Makinde seeks to strengthen his presidential ticket and position the APM as a major opposition platform. The governor had earlier been listed as the party’s presidential candidate following his political movement away from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Daura is a former head of Nigeria’s domestic intelligence service and served as Director-General of the State Security Service, now commonly referred to as the DSS, from 2015 until 2018. His appointment to the position came during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, making his emergence on Makinde’s ticket a notable choice with strong security credentials.

The former intelligence chief replaces Ibrahim Adamu Bala, who had previously been announced as Makinde’s running mate. Reports indicate that Bala’s earlier inclusion was regarded as a placeholder arrangement pending the selection of a substantive vice-presidential candidate.

Makinde’s decision to settle on Daura also brings security and national stability issues into sharper focus in his emerging campaign message. Reports on the announcement indicate that the governor has presented the ticket as part of an effort to confront insecurity and worsening poverty, two issues expected to dominate political debates ahead of the 2027 election.

At the Bauchi convention, Makinde also called for greater cooperation among opposition parties, arguing that the political task ahead is bigger than simply winning an election. He framed the opposition’s challenge around providing Nigerians with what he described as a real choice concerning the country’s future.

The announcement comes at a time when Nigeria’s political landscape is witnessing renewed negotiations, defections and alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential contest. The selection of a former senior intelligence official is therefore likely to attract considerable attention as political parties and their candidates seek combinations capable of appealing to voters across different regions and constituencies.

Daura’s political journey has also placed him among prominent figures associated with the security establishment of the Buhari era. His tenure as DSS Director-General ended in 2018 after President Buhari relieved him of his position, with the development occurring amid a period of considerable political and institutional tension in Abuja.

For Makinde, the selection of a running mate marks another major step in transforming his presidential ambition into a full electoral campaign structure. His candidacy on the APM platform, coupled with the decision to pair with a former DSS chief, gives the ticket a distinctive profile as the 2027 contest gradually takes shape.

With the presidential election still ahead, the Makinde-Daura ticket will now face the challenge of converting the political momentum generated by the announcement into broad national support. Their ability to build alliances, present a convincing policy agenda and distinguish themselves from the established political blocs will be closely watched as the race for Nigeria’s presidency intensifies.