APM Presidential Candidate Makinde Promises New Direction for Nigeria, Targets Security and Cost-of-Living Crisis
APM Presidential Candidate Makinde Promises New Direction for Nigeria, Targets Security and Cost-of-Living Crisis
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has pledged to implement practical reforms that will improve the welfare and security of Nigerians if elected President in the 2027 general elections.
Makinde made the promise while delivering his acceptance speech after being affirmed as the consensus presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) at the Professor Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, on Saturday.
The governor expressed concern over the worsening insecurity, inflation and hunger in the country, stressing that Nigeria requires a new direction to overcome its challenges.
According to him, the current security structure places governors in a difficult position by assigning them responsibility without granting them the constitutional authority needed to effectively tackle security threats.
“Today, even as I stand here, some innocent schoolchildren and citizens abducted by terrorists are still in captivity. As Governor of Oyo State, I carry the painful burden of being called Chief Security Officer, yet lacking constitutional control over the security agencies needed to fully confront these threats. No Governor should be placed in a situation where responsibility is placed on his shoulders, but the necessary authority is withheld.
“As President of Nigeria, I will work to reform our national security architecture so that states are no longer left helpless in moments of crisis. The decentralisation that we need for a more effective security will be prioritised. The safety of Nigerians will not be treated as a political talking point. It will be a national duty.
“I believe we have the capacity to rebuild our economy with honesty and practical reforms.”
Makinde also promised to ensure that Nigerians benefit from the country’s status as an oil-producing nation by introducing fair and transparent petroleum pricing mechanisms that reflect actual production costs.
“Nigerians must be protected from arbitrary pricing and not have to bear the cost of the government’s failure to secure our borders.
“I dare dream that the NNPC will be reformed and become lean, efficient, and commercially driven through proper joint venture incorporation and institutional reforms.
“I dare dream that we will reset Nigeria and take the difficult but necessary decision to restructure the ownership of our refineries so Nigeria can finally stop bleeding resources into systems that no longer serve the people effectively.”
The governor further pledged to expand transportation support programmes across the country to reduce the burden of rising transport costs on workers, students, traders and families.
On agriculture, Makinde said his administration would prioritise food security by gathering accurate data on the sector’s production capacity and addressing deficiencies in production, processing, agrologistics and storage.
He assured Nigerians that his presidential campaign would focus on competence, practical solutions and national development.
“Together, we can build a Nigeria where security is not a privilege, where opportunity is not reserved for a few, and where leadership finally serves the people.”
Earlier, the National Chairman of the Allied People’s Movement, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, described Makinde’s emergence as the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s political history.
Dantalle said the country was ready for a new generation of visionary leaders committed to human development, security, education, healthcare, agriculture, wealth creation, infrastructure and technology.
He maintained that power must return to the people and that the APM remains committed to building a government that places citizens at the centre of decision-making.
In separate goodwill messages, the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Jatau, and the APM Lagos State governorship candidate, Hon. Laja Adeoye, expressed confidence in Makinde’s leadership capacity and urged party stakeholders to work towards his victory in the 2027 election.
In his welcome address, the Oyo State governorship candidate of APM, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, thanked party leaders and delegates from across the 36 states for their support, describing it as a demonstration of unity and shared vision.
Adekanmbi stated that the developmental strides recorded in Oyo State under Governor Makinde’s administration could be replicated nationwide, citing the governor’s commitment to delivering tangible results.
The event was attended by a former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Otunba (Dr.) Segun Ogunwuyi; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi; commissioners, lawmakers, local government chairmen, party leaders and delegates from across the country, among other dignitaries.