Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has called on Nigerians to assess presidential contenders ahead of the 2027 general election based on competence, stamina and the ability to deliver results rather than age or political considerations.
Makinde made the appeal while addressing supporters at the APM presidential campaign rally in Akure, Ondo State, where he outlined the need for leadership capable of addressing Nigeria’s persistent security challenges, economic difficulties and deteriorating public services.
According to the governor, the demands of the presidency require a leader with the physical and mental resilience to confront the country’s problems and sustain the pace of governance.
“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,” Makinde said.
He explained that the party’s proposed Reset Nigeria programme would focus on improving infrastructure, strengthening the education sector and addressing insecurity, with an emphasis on leadership that could translate policy objectives into measurable outcomes.
The APM candidate also questioned why Nigeria’s substantial oil resources had not produced widespread economic prosperity, arguing that natural wealth alone could not guarantee development without deliberate investment in human capital, expertise and effective administration.
Turning his attention to the Federal Government’s fiscal management, Makinde criticised the Tinubu administration over its budget implementation, questioning which budget the government was currently executing.
He further urged voters across the South-West to reject what he characterised as deceptive political practices, insisting that the country needed a different approach to governance.
Drawing on his experience as governor of Oyo State, Makinde presented his administration’s record as evidence of the governing principles he intends to extend to the national level if elected president in 2027.
Earlier at the rally, APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle called for a fundamental change in the country’s political and economic direction, arguing that Nigeria needed a comprehensive departure from its current challenges.
Dantalle expressed concern over the country’s economic conditions, pointing to the difficulties Nigerians face despite the nation’s status as a major petroleum producer. He noted that fuel remained expensive while many public sector workers struggled to meet their basic needs with their salaries.
The party chairman also raised questions about the effectiveness of compulsory SIM card registration in combating insecurity, arguing that the measure had failed to prevent criminal groups from carrying out kidnappings and killings.
He cited the continued abduction and killing of Nigerians, including senior military officers, as evidence of the security challenges confronting the country and the need for more effective responses.
“If the APC is not checked, I am concerned about what will happen to this country and the legacy we will leave behind. This is not about religion, language or political party; it is about Nigeria. Nobody will fix Nigeria for us unless we do it ourselves,” he said.
Also addressing the gathering, APM national leader and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, expressed confidence in Makinde’s suitability for the presidency, describing him as a politician familiar with the country’s development challenges.
Mohammed particularly highlighted Makinde’s understanding of infrastructure and public service delivery, presenting these areas of experience as important assets in tackling the country’s governance difficulties.
He added that the party had selected a vice-presidential candidate with a background in security to complement Makinde’s experience, saying the combination was intended to strengthen the APM’s offer to voters.
The party leaders used the Akure gathering to promote the APM as an alternative to the existing political order, urging Nigerians to consider its proposed agenda as preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.
