Makinde accuses APC of copying his ‘reset’ manifesto

Seyi Makinde, presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of copying ideas from his manifesto.

Makinde made the allegation on Monday at the APM presidential campaign rally in Jos, Plateau state, where he urged Nigerians to reject the APC and support his party in the forthcoming elections.

Makinde unveiled his manifesto, titled ‘Reset Nigeria Agenda’, on November 4, while the APC is expected to launch its manifesto, themed ‘From Reforms to Prosperity’, on Tuesday.

The Oyo governor called on party supporters to take his agenda to their polling units, adding that elections are won at the grassroots.

“Let me quickly say this: when we unveiled our reset agenda, I said in Abuja that they would soon start stealing our ideas. Now they have started,” Makinde said.

“They say theirs is ‘reform to prosperity’. They now say they want a Nigeria that will work for everybody. What have they been doing over the past three years?”

The APM candidate accused the APC-led government of running a country that favoured only those in power, saying its policies had failed to improve the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.

“They have built a Nigeria that works only for them. Send the oppressors packing. Send them back to Lagos, and let us bring in the team that will reset Nigeria,” Makinde said.

“Go back to your various units and spread the reset message. Elections are won at the unit level. If Nigeria is not working for you, then let us reset it.”

The politician identified security as a major pillar of his agenda, noting that improved security would restore Plateau state’s tourism potential, attract visitors and create employment opportunities for young people.

He said the state’s favourable weather and tourism prospects could drive economic growth if insecurity is addressed.

Lawal Daura, the APM vice-presidential candidate, said the party leadership was in Plateau state to seek the support of residents for the plan to restore the state’s reputation as a peaceful tourism destination.

He lamented the security challenges that had affected the state and expressed confidence that the party’s agenda would address them.

Yusuf Dantelle, APM national chairman, criticised the federal government’s handling of the petrol subsidy removal, questioning whether Nigerians had experienced the promised improvement in their living conditions.

He said the subsidy withdrawal, which the government justified as a measure to improve citizens’ welfare, has instead left many Nigerians struggling with rising living costs.

“Subsidy has been withdrawn, according to the federal government, for one purpose: to give Nigerians a better life. But are we better off after that? We are paying through our noses. Food is not available. We cannot go to our farms. We cannot do anything,” Dantelle said.

The APM national chairman urged Nigerians to embrace the APM, describing it as a political platform committed to equitable resource distribution, constitutional governance, and improved welfare.