2027: Tinubu is beatable, not a stranger to me — Makinde’s running-mate, Daura

The vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, (APM), Lawal Musa Daura, has said President Bola Tinubu can be defeated in the 2027 presidential election, describing the President as someone he knows personally.

Daura made the statement on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed his relationship with Tinubu, his political experience under former President Muhammadu Buhari and his decision to join the APM ticket with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

Tinubu can be defeated, Daura says

Asked whether Tinubu could be defeated in the 2027 presidential election, Daura responded in the affirmative, arguing that the current administration had made several errors.

“Very well,” Daura said when asked if the President could be beaten at the polls.

According to him, the mistakes made by the Tinubu administration could create an opportunity for opposition candidates to challenge the President in the election.

Daura says he knows Tinubu personally

The former Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, said his relationship with Tinubu went beyond politics, stressing that the President was not a stranger to him.

Daura said although Tinubu is now President and Commander-in-Chief, they have known each other for a long time and understand each other.

“President Bola Tinubu is not a stranger to me. Even though he is the leader, the Commander-in-Chief, we are friends. We know ourselves very well,” he said.

He also suggested that some statements and actions attributed to Tinubu were not necessarily reflective of the President’s actual position.

Daura recalls service under Buhari

Speaking about his relationship with former President Muhammadu Buhari, under whom he served as DSS Director-General, Daura said he still missed the late president.

The former security chief recalled the risks he took while serving Buhari, saying he was personally exposed to danger during his time in government.

“I do miss Muhammadu Buhari. I took bullets for him,” Daura said.

He, however, criticised individuals he described as sycophants who surrounded the former President, accusing them of betraying Buhari’s trust and taking advantage of his administration.

“There were so many sycophants around Buhari; they betrayed the trust he gave them and took advantage of that government,” he said.

Why Daura backs Makinde

Daura also explained why he believes Nigerians should support the Makinde-Daura presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election.

The APM vice-presidential candidate said he and Makinde shared a common understanding and vision for Nigeria, adding that their partnership was based on a shared desire to change the country.

“We are a pair that seems to really understand each other; we share the same passion for this country,” Daura said.

He added that one of the major messages of their campaign was the need to “reset” Nigeria.

Obi endorses political choice

Daura’s interview came shortly after Makinde’s presidential campaign office was unveiled in Abuja.

The event was attended by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, who described Makinde as qualified to become President of Nigeria.

Obi said Nigerians should be allowed to freely choose their preferred candidate ahead of the 2027 election.

He also called on political leaders to work together regardless of which candidate eventually emerges victorious at the polls.

The 2027 presidential contest is expected to feature intense competition as political parties and candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the election.