Seyi Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has called on voters in the South-West to reject politics driven by personal ambition and support his proposed national reset agenda ahead of the 2027 general election.
Makinde made the call during the APM South-West town hall meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where he criticised the idea of treating political power as an entitlement and urged Nigerians to support leadership that prioritises national interests over personal ambitions.
The Oyo State governor said Nigeria needed a departure from what he described as a turn-by-turn approach to political leadership, warning against the use of power to promote nepotism.
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“We say no to a turn-by-turn Nigeria in which someone says ‘emi lokan’ — it is my turn to run a nepotistic administration,” Makinde said.
The Yoruba phrase ‘emi lokan’, which translates to ‘it is my turn’, gained national prominence in June 2022 when President Bola Tinubu used it during his presidential campaign as an All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant. Tinubu had cited his longstanding political support for former President Muhammadu Buhari as part of his argument for succeeding him.
Makinde also questioned the Federal Government’s budget implementation process, expressing concern over the continued operation of the 2025 Appropriation Act.
He said a government led by him from 2027 would focus on improving national security, boosting economic productivity, developing infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for opposition parties to operate freely.
According to the APM presidential candidate, his proposed reset agenda would address Nigeria’s development challenges by connecting infrastructure investment with economic growth and improving opportunities for young people and women.
“The reset Nigeria agenda is about building a country whose infrastructural development will support and drive economic growth, enabling us to address the concerns raised by our youths and women,” he said.
Bala Mohammed Backs Makinde’s Candidacy
Bala Mohammed, the Bauchi State governor and national leader of the APM, expressed confidence in Makinde’s leadership ability, describing him as an experienced politician capable of addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure and public service challenges.
Mohammed said the party selected Makinde as its presidential candidate after considering his record in governing Oyo State.
Meanwhile, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, warned against alleged attempts by political opponents to infiltrate the APM and create divisions within its ranks.
Daura also expressed optimism about the party’s chances in the South-West, saying a government led by Makinde would work towards reducing economic hardship and improving the living conditions of Nigerians.
APM Chairman Faults Rising Cost of Living
The APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantelle, also criticised the Federal Government over the rising cost of living, unemployment and insecurity across the country.
Dantelle urged Nigerians to look beyond religious, ethnic and political differences when deciding who should lead the country, arguing that effective governance was essential to unlocking Nigeria’s economic and developmental potential.
The APM leaders’ comments come as political parties and prospective candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general election, with governance, economic hardship, security and leadership accountability expected to remain major issues in the campaign.
