The Governor of Oyo State and Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), ‘Seyi Makinde, has called on the Southwest region to pioneer a new national rebirth under the Reset Nigeria agenda.
Speaking at the APM Southwest Town Hall held at the Ondo State International Conference Centre (The Dome) in Akure, Makinde urged citizens to rally behind the Seyi Makinde APM presidential campaign while rejecting “turn-by-turn” politics, nepotism, and political entitlement.
Southwest Leadership and the Reset Nigeria Agenda
Addressing a gathering of Southwest political stakeholders at Akure town hall, Makinde described the Southwest as the historic vanguard of Nigeria’s national progress. He dismissed arguments suggesting that the region should refrain from presenting alternative candidates simply because a Southwest indigene currently occupies the presidency.
Recalling the 1999 presidential election, he pointed out that both Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Olu Falae contested the presidency simultaneously without national controversy. He insisted that national leadership must always be evaluated on energy, competence, and readiness for service rather than regional entitlement.
Makinde outlined the core foundation of his political platform, which rests on four central pillars designed to drive 2027 presidential election governance reforms: Education, Economy, Security, and Socio-political Empowerment. He emphasised that true national prosperity depends heavily on actionable skills, practical knowledge, a safe environment, and a robust political environment where opposition parties can thrive without intimidation.
Economic Governance and Budgetary Accountability
Focusing on fiscal responsibility, Makinde criticised the federal government’s unclear budgeting process. He contrasted this national uncertainty with Oyo State’s consistent January-to-December budget cycle, alongside its proven track record of achieving over 70 per cent budget execution across the past seven years.
He advocated for a truly productive national economy where states receive their full statutory allocations without federal delays and where tax policies actively encourage wealth creation rather than penalising vulnerable citizens.
Makinde urged attendees to act as “Reset Agents” by securing their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and carrying the Reset Nigeria agenda message directly to voters door-to-door.
“Together, we will reset Nigeria,” Makinde declared, calling on the Southwest to step up once again as the cradle of national renewal.
Stakeholder Support and Party Unity
Speaking at the event, the APM Vice Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Lawal Daura, reaffirmed the party’s unwavering commitment to the Reset Nigeria agenda. Daura warned party faithful to remain vigilant against political infiltration designed to cause internal division, emphasising that the party stands firmly united.
Goodwill messages from prominent leaders further reinforced the Seyi Makinde APM presidential campaign. Former Osun State Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, APM Deputy Director General (Administration) Hajia Maryam Inna Ciroma, and retired senior civil servant Dr Layi Ogunbambi commended Makinde’s political courage.
They urged Nigerian youths to rally behind energetic, vision-driven leaders capable of overcoming pressing national hurdles while protecting democratic institutions and sustaining a healthy multi-party system.
Critiquing Economic Hardship Ahead of 2027
APM National Chairman Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle and National Leader Senator Bala Mohammed delivered sharp critiques of the ruling party’s economic policies, stating that current measures have worsened financial hardship across the country. Expressing full confidence in the Makinde/Daura ticket, they assured voters that the APM possesses the vision and discipline required to restore economic stability.
Earlier, the Southwest Zonal Coordinator for the campaign, Chief Eddy Olafeso, noted that genuine governance must always serve the public interest, adding that Makinde remains fully prepared to re-engineer national leadership through the Reset Nigeria agenda.
The high-profile Southwest political stakeholder Akure town hall meeting was attended by prominent figures including the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governor, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; former Speaker, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; and several key regional leaders.
