Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has said the 2027 presidential election will be a contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Nigerians, rather than a battle among political parties.
Makinde made the declaration on Tuesday in Katsina at the APM North-West Zonal Town Hall Meeting organised ahead of the 2027 election.
The engagement is part of the Makinde-Daura Campaign Organisation’s planned town hall meetings across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Makinde: 2027 poll will be APC vs Nigerians
Makinde said his campaign would focus on issues and the party’s “Reset Nigeria” agenda, which targets the economy, education, security and the country’s socio-political system.
“For the election, I maintain and repeat it: it won’t be APC versus APM, or APM versus ADC, or ADC versus NDC. It will be APC versus Nigerians,” he said.
The APM candidate urged Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the 2027 election.
“Please get your PVC and show the APC that Nigeria is bigger than individuals.
“It is bigger than even the systems that have held us down,” Makinde stated.
Makinde outlines economic plan
On the economy, Makinde said his proposed administration would seek to build an economy capable of operating round the clock.
He argued that Nigeria’s natural resources alone could not guarantee prosperity without the development of skills, knowledge and intensive production.
“We are determined to reset our economy. Yes, people will argue that Nigeria is rich in natural resources. But natural resources are not enough.
“You must have skills and knowledge, and you must also have intensive production.”
Education and security
Makinde also promised to overhaul the education sector by establishing accurate data on the number of out-of-school children and developing measures to return them to school.
On security, he proposed a review of Nigeria’s security architecture and called for greater involvement of state governments in mining activities.
He said the Federal Government should consider devolving some mining responsibilities to the states while retaining an oversight role at the centre. According to Makinde, this could help tackle illegal mining and related security challenges.
Makinde cites constitution on power transfer
Makinde also criticised President Bola Tinubu over his working leave to Europe without transmitting power to Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
The governor said constitutional provisions should be respected whenever the President is unavailable and cited Section 145 of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides for a written declaration when the President is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.
“I promise you that, as your President, I will follow the Constitution to the letter. If I am not going to be available, if I am on vacation, I will transmit power to the Vice-President. Record this and hold me accountable.”
Daura backs Reset Nigeria agenda
Makinde’s running mate and former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, said the North-West and Nigeria as a whole were seeking changes, particularly in response to insecurity and poverty.
Daura said Makinde’s “Reset Nigeria” agenda aligned with his own belief that the country required fundamental changes.
He added that details of the programme would be presented as the campaign progresses and urged Nigerians to exercise their civic rights within the law.
Daura said insecurity must be reduced and normalcy restored across the country.
APM chairman urges support
APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle called on Nigerians to join the party’s effort to address insecurity, hunger, poverty and educational challenges.
He described Makinde as “young, active and pragmatic” and said voters could assess his record in Oyo State.
Dantalle also described Daura as a security expert from the North-West and said his experience could contribute to efforts to address security challenges if the APM wins the 2027 election.
The Katsina meeting is the first in the APM’s planned zonal town hall series ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with further engagements scheduled across other geopolitical zones.
