Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has urged voters in the South-East to reject ethnic and religious sentiments when choosing Nigeria’s next president in 2027.
Makinde made the appeal on Thursday during the APM South-East town hall meeting in Enugu, where he presented his vision for the country and addressed the political influence of regional identity ahead of the general election.
The governor acknowledged that the South-East is the home region of Peter Obi, the former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
Makinde said he had faced concerns about visiting the region because of Obi’s political support base but insisted that Nigerians should assess presidential candidates on their plans and capacity to address the country’s challenges.
He urged voters to look beyond ethnic and religious affiliations, arguing that insecurity, unemployment and economic hardship affect Nigerians regardless of their background.
Makinde outlines Reset Agenda
The APM presidential candidate said his proposed Reset Agenda for Nigeria is built around four major pillars: the economy, security, education and socio-political development.
He explained that his campaign had delayed publishing its manifesto to allow him to complete town hall meetings across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and gather citizens’ views before finalising his policy proposals.
According to Makinde, the manifesto is scheduled for launch on November 4, 2026.
He also promised to rebuild public trust in government, saying sincerity in leadership could help address at least 30 per cent of Nigeria’s problems.
Drawing on his experience as Oyo State governor, Makinde said his administration would seek to strengthen the relationship between leaders and citizens if elected president.
The candidate further pledged to equip young Nigerians with relevant skills to improve employment opportunities and support business growth.
He argued that government should create an environment in which businesses can thrive and generate jobs.
APM leaders criticise Tinubu administration
Earlier, the South-East Coordinator of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation, Okechukwu Obiechina, blamed Nigeria’s economic difficulties on years of poor leadership.
Obiechina expressed confidence that Makinde could improve living conditions, citing the rising challenges many families face in meeting basic needs, including food, transport and school fees.
APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that it had failed to fulfil its promises to Nigerians since taking office in 2023.
Dantalle urged Tinubu to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support Makinde, whom he described as a younger alternative. He also argued that Makinde’s candidacy would continue the Southern region’s turn in the presidency.
These remarks reflect the positions of APM campaign officials and remain political claims rather than independent assessments of the administration’s performance.
APM promises reforms
The party’s vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, said the APM intended to address Nigeria’s challenges through a 16-point agenda.
He described the campaign as a commitment to systemic reforms aimed at improving governance and delivering benefits to Nigerians across regional and religious lines.
With the 2027 election approaching, Makinde’s visit to Enugu signals the APM’s effort to present its message to voters beyond its traditional political base.
The party is now seeking to translate its Reset Agenda into a manifesto that can compete for support across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
