2027 elections: Makinde defends presidential ambition against Tinubu

Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has defended his decision to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the South-West region has the right to present more than one candidate for the nation’s highest political office.

Makinde said the fact that Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), hails from the same geopolitical zone should not prevent other qualified aspirants from seeking the presidency.

The governor stated this on Thursday at the Makinde-Daura 2027 Presidential Town Hall Meeting organised for the South-West region at the Olusegun Mimiko International Event Centre in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

He argued that the choice of Nigeria’s next president should be determined by competence, capacity and the ability to deliver good governance rather than regional considerations.

The governor maintained that his presidential ambition was driven by the desire to provide Nigerians with an alternative leadership capable of tackling the country’s economic difficulties, security challenges and developmental needs.

Makinde cites Obasanjo, Falae’s 1999 contest

Addressing concerns over the possibility of two presidential candidates emerging from the South-West, Makinde cited the 1999 presidential election, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Olu Falae contested against each other.

Both candidates hailed from the region but represented different political parties in the election that ushered Nigeria into the Fourth Republic.

According to Makinde, the contest demonstrated that the emergence of multiple presidential candidates from the same geopolitical zone was neither unusual nor a threat to national stability.

He said the development provided Nigerians with the opportunity to choose between two prominent candidates based on their individual qualities and political programmes.

“People have asked us why we are contesting this election when the South-West already has somebody occupying that seat.

“There is nothing wrong with my decision to contest the 2027 presidential election against Tinubu despite both of us coming from the South-West geopolitical zone.

“The choice of who governs Nigeria should not be determined solely by geographical considerations, but by competence, capacity and the ability to deliver good governance,” he said.

Makinde added that the South-West had previously presented two of its leading political figures for Nigerians to choose from, questioning why the same should be considered unacceptable ahead of the 2027 election.

He said his ambition was to give voters another option rather than allow regional identity to determine the outcome of the presidential contest.

Governor prioritises energy over age

The APM candidate also indicated that his campaign would focus on energy, stamina and the capacity to meet the demands of governance rather than making age a central issue in the presidential race.

He argued that Nigeria’s challenges required a leader capable of working for extended periods and responding effectively to the country’s pressing economic and security concerns.

“Having energy, being able to stay up late and having the strength to deal with the challenges we face as a country are important. We want a Nigeria that works for everybody. It is not a Nigeria that works for a very few,” he said.

Makinde said his proposed administration would seek to improve national security to enable businesses and other economic activities to operate beyond the limitations imposed by insecurity.

He maintained that an improved security environment would create opportunities for businesses to remain productive for longer hours, expand their operations and contribute more to national economic growth.

“We will work on the security architecture of Nigeria such that our economy will not shut down at 8 p.m. We will expand our economy,” he said.

Makinde unveils tax position under Reset Agenda

The Oyo governor also outlined his proposed economic direction under the Reset Agenda, advocating a tax system that places greater emphasis on prosperity rather than poverty.

He argued that improved productivity and economic growth should translate into increased prosperity, with the government designing its taxation policies around those who could afford to contribute more.

“When people are productive, they become prosperous. When they are prosperous, tax prosperity. Don’t tax poverty. The Reset Agenda is for us to tax prosperity, not poverty,” he said.

The proposed approach, according to his remarks, would form part of his broader ambition to build an economy that works for a wider section of the population rather than a privileged few.

However, the governor did not provide further details at the town hall on the specific tax measures or implementation framework his proposed administration would adopt.

APM chairman, Bala Mohammed back Makinde

The National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantale, said the party’s central message was to reset Nigeria and ensure that governance reflected the interests and aspirations of citizens.

Dantale also questioned the representativeness of the National Assembly, arguing that democracy should involve citizens participating in decisions affecting their lives.

“We have a National Assembly that is not seen to be representative of the people. What is democracy? It is about everybody coming together to decide,” he said.

Similarly, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed expressed confidence in Makinde’s ability to lead the country, citing his experience in governing Oyo State.

Mohammed described the party’s candidates as young and energetic, arguing that they possessed the drive to deliver democratic dividends to Nigerians.

“We are young, we are driven by plans; Makinde has done it at the sub-national level; he can fix Nigeria. Today, we are the biggest competition in the country,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of political rotation and mutual accommodation, saying the contest should focus on ideas and the aspirations of Nigerians rather than campaign posters and billboards.

Meanwhile, Eddy Olafeso, the South-West zonal coordinator of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Council, commended state directors for their commitment and readiness to work towards the candidate’s electoral success.

Olafeso said the campaign was founded on the principle that government existed to serve the people, adding that its mission was to redefine the relationship between citizens and those entrusted with public office.

Makinde’s declaration sets the stage for a presidential contest in which he is seeking to position himself as an alternative to Tinubu, despite both politicians’ roots in the South-West.

The 2027 election is expected to test the ability of opposition parties to mobilise support across Nigeria and convince voters that their candidates can provide solutions to the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.