Oyo State governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People's Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has called on the public to disregard speculations linking him to plans of stepping down for another candidate.

He affirmed his resolve to contest for the presidency in 2027.

Makinde who disclosed this in a newsletter to residents of Oyo State on Friday, noted that he entered the contest to offer Nigerians a credible alternative, and would continue his campaign amidst political pressures and speculation.

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Makinde urged citizens and residents to be vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies or through the state's toll-free emergency number, 615.

Speaking on the recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Ibadan involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Makinde said the state government approached the court to seek judicial clarification after the commission requested records of all government contracts and contractor payments from 2021 without identifying any specific transaction or allegation under investigation.

According to the governor, the court affirmed the EFCC's constitutional powers to investigate financial crimes but ruled that such powers must be exercised within the confines of the law.

The governor maintained that the judgment was not a victory against the EFCC but a victory for the rule of law and due process.

He stressed that his administration had never opposed lawful investigations but believes that accountability must be evidence-based and conducted in accordance with constitutional provision.