Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) for the 2027 general elections.
Makinde secured the party’s ticket at the APM presidential primary held in Ibadan on Friday.
Speaking after accepting the nomination, the governor pledged to reform Nigeria’s security architecture and ensure that states are no longer left helpless during security emergencies.
He said his administration would prioritize the decentralisation of security management to enable states take greater control of their security systems.
“The safety and security of Nigerians will never be treated as a political slogan. Under my leadership, it will be a sacred national responsibility,” Makinde said.
The Oyo governor also noted that rising insecurity, hunger and the high cost of living indicated the need for a new direction for the country.
According to him, Nigeria cannot achieve different outcomes by relying on old methods and approaches.
Makinde promised to implement practical economic reforms anchored on honesty, discipline and transparency.
He further stated that Nigerians deserve to benefit from the country’s oil resources just as citizens of other resource-rich nations do, stressing the need for a fair and transparent pricing system for petroleum products.
The governor also pledged to reform the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), describing his vision as one that would make the company lean, efficient and commercially driven.
He added that difficult but necessary decisions would be taken regarding the nation’s refineries to stop the loss of public resources.
On agriculture, Makinde said food security would be a major focus of his administration.
According to him, efforts would begin with gathering accurate data on the country’s agricultural capacity to address challenges in production, processing, storage and logistics.
“It is unacceptable that a nation blessed with abundant resources still has millions of citizens going to bed hungry,” he said.
Speaking on transportation, the APM presidential candidate promised to expand intervention programmes similar to those implemented in Oyo State to reduce the burden on workers, students, traders and families.
Makinde distanced himself from what he described as unrealistic campaign promises, assuring Nigerians of responsive and accountable leadership.
“This campaign will therefore be about solutions, competence, and the future.
“Together, we can build a Nigeria where security is not a privilege, where opportunities are not reserved for a select few, and where leadership genuinely serves the people,” he added.
The governor, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described the APM as “a grand alliance united by a common purpose, the progress and renewal of Nigeria”.
In his remarks, APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantale, said the party’s chapters across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory unanimously endorsed Makinde’s candidature for the 2027 presidential election.
Dantale said the party’s priorities include human capital development, security, education, healthcare, agriculture, wealth creation, technology and youth empowerment.
He also urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and support APM candidates at all levels.
“Your vote is your power. A vote for APM is a vote for a new Nigeria, for progress, for hope,” he said.
Also speaking, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, declared support for Makinde’s presidential ambition.
Represented by his deputy, Mohammed Jatau, the governor described Makinde as “the leader Nigeria needs at this critical moment.”
He assured that Bauchi State, the North-East region and many Nigerians in the northern part of the country would support the APM candidate in the 2027 election.
Mohammed added that Bauchi and Oyo states share a long-standing relationship built on friendship, cooperation and mutual respect.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Certificate of Return to Makinde by Dantale.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were also present at the programme.
NAN
