‎2027: Makinde Challenges Tinubu, Says Nigeria Needs Energetic Leader

‎The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has said Nigeria needs an energetic leader capable of confronting the country’s challenges.

‎Makinde, who spoke at the APM presidential campaign on Thursday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over budget implementation, accusing the Federal Government of lacking clarity in its budgetary operations.

‎He challenged Nigerians, particularly those in the South-West, to reject what he described as the politics of deceit and support his proposed agenda to reset the country.

‎The Oyo State governor added that other presidential candidates should demonstrate their physical capacity to withstand the demands of the office.

‎He said “While I will not make age an issue in this campaign, I will make energy an issue. We need a leader who has the energy to stay up late, withstand the rigours of the office and tackle the challenges facing our country.

‎“So please, when they bring their own presidential candidates, let the candidates come here and also jump up, if they can do that, vote for them.”

‎Makinde also defended his decision to contest the presidency despite the South-West already having a president, citing the 1999 presidential election, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae contested against each other.

‎He said the contest demonstrated that the South-West could present more than one candidate for Nigerians to choose from without undermining the country’s unity.

‎“When in 1999, the entire Nigeria ceded the presidency to the South-West, and we had two of our fathers, Baba President Obasanjo and Baba Olu Falae, they contested the presidency, both from the South-West. And heaven did not fall. Is there anything wrong with that this time around?” he asked.

‎The APM candidate challenged the Tinubu administration over its budgetary processes, questioning which budget the Federal Government was currently operating.

‎He contrasted the situation with his administration’s record in Oyo State, saying budget performance had increased from between 28 and 30 per cent before he assumed office to more than 70 per cent under his government.

‎He also said his administration had consistently operated its budget from January to December for more than seven years, with budgets usually presented to and passed by the state House of Assembly before the beginning of the financial year.

‎According to him, his proposed Reset Nigeria agenda is designed to build an economy that works for all Nigerians rather than a privileged few.

‎“We want a Nigeria that works for everybody. It is not a Nigeria that works for very few,” he said.

‎Makinde rejected what he described as a politics of entitlement and nepotism, arguing that national development should not be determined by which region or political group holds power.

‎Earlier, the National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, said the party’s message was to reset Nigeria, citing rising living costs, insecurity and the difficulties faced by workers.

‎Dantalle questioned why Nigerians continued to bear the burden of petroleum prices despite the country’s status as a major oil producer.

‎He also faulted the effectiveness of compulsory SIM card registration in tackling insecurity, arguing that kidnappers and bandits continued to operate despite the measure.

‎He said the country’s challenges transcended religion, ethnicity and political affiliation, adding that Nigerians must collectively take responsibility for finding solutions.

‎“It is not about religion, language, or party, it is about Nigeria. No one will fix Nigeria for us unless we do it ourselves,” he said.

‎Also speaking, the National Leader of the APM and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, said the party was presenting a presidential candidate with the energy and experience needed to address Nigeria’s challenges.

‎He described Makinde as a candidate who understood the country’s infrastructure and public service challenges, adding that the choice before Nigerians was theirs to make.

‎“We are not afraid of anybody, and you shouldn’t be as well. We are so strong and bringing forward a young person full of energy and strength who can reset Nigeria,” Mohammed said.

‎The party also presented Alhaji Musa Lawal Daura as its vice-presidential candidate.

‎Makinde urged eligible Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing the 2027 election as an opportunity to pursue the party’s proposed reset of the country.

A cross section of APM members at the presidential campaign held in Akure, Ondo State