Governor Seyi Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, has stated that the party will collaborate with other opposition political parties to give Nigerians a credible option in the 2027 general elections.
Makinde, who is also the governor of Oyo State, made the statement on Thursday during the APM national convention at Dr. Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu Square, Government House, Bauchi.
He stated that a robust opposition was necessary for the survival of democracy and urged the party’s new leadership to work with other opposition parties to offer Nigerians a genuine alternative in 2027.
“As I said, the presence of a credible opposition is what sustains democracy. So, our new leaders must be ready to work with other opposition parties to ensure that we give Nigeria an incredible alternative in the 2027 general election,” Makinde said.
The governor stated that the 2027 election should focus on measurable outcomes rather than political slogans, campaign promises, and government announcements.
He said, “For too long, we have measured governors by announcements. We are presented with policy after policy, rather than evidence of where those policies have made people’s lives better.
“When our mothers go to the market, they experience economic policy as a statistic. They experience it in what their money can buy: how much rice, how much beans, and how much they can take home.
“We experience job creation policy through a press statement. The experience is whether you can find productive work.”
Makinde believes Nigerians should evaluate governments based on productivity, market access, better family welfare, and security, rather than the number of government programs or security meetings.
According to him, “Security is not the number of security meetings in the government house. It is whether people come home and sleep with their two eyes closed.”
The APM candidate stated that the 2027 election should be a contest of ideas and evidence, with candidates demonstrating how their programs will better Nigerians’ lives.
He said, “The 2027 election should not simply be about what government has done. It should be about what has changed for Nigerians.
“Those of us who offer ourselves as alternatives must answer the question: What exactly will we do differently, and what measurable difference should Nigeria expect to see?”
Makinde stated that the country needs an economy capable of pulling millions of Nigerians out of poverty, meaningful jobs for young people, decent education, and effective security.
He also advocated for a stronger federal structure, arguing that more decisions and resources should be brought closer to the people while increasing accountability.
“We need a federation in which more decisions and resources are brought closer to the people, accompanied by greater accountability for results,” he said.
The governor also called for a political system that would restore trust between leaders and citizens, stressing that political disagreement should not turn opponents into enemies.
He said, “We want a politics where disagreement does not make us enemies; a politics where opposition is not merely about removing those in power but about presenting a credible alternative and demonstrating a better one.”
Makinde stated that the ultimate objective ahead of 2027 should be to give Nigerians a genuine choice about the future of the country.
“The task before all of us is bigger than winning an election. It is to give Nigerians a real choice about the future of their country.
“Let the coming campaign be a contest of ideas. Let us debate the evidence. Let us compare records. Let everyone seeking to lead Nigerians answer one simple question: How will the lives of Nigerians be better because we were allowed to lead?” he said.
