2027: Makinde Unveils Manifesto, Advocates Citizen-Centred Economic, Political Order

The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Wednesday in Abuja unveiled his Reset Nigeria Agenda manifesto, promising a new social, political and economic order centred on the welfare of citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the unveiling at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Makinde declared that the 2027 general elections will be decided by Nigerians and not billionaires.

He disagreed with the narrative projecting Nigeria as poor, saying: “Nigeria is rich in natural resources, Nigeria is rich in human resources, but our leaders are poor in ideas.”

Makinde disclosed that the Reset Nigeria Agenda is built on four pillars: resetting the economy, restructuring the security architecture, reforming education and resetting the socio-political system.

“We will bring about a new social and political order. We will also introduce a new economic order. It will not be about figures without any direct impact on the lives of the people,” he said.

On the economy, he promised: “I will not tax poverty but prosperity.”

He explained that what Nigerians need is to reduce the cost of living and the cost of doing business, with fixing electricity as number one, adding that states will generate and distribute their own electricity under his administration.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to have institutions capable of working across its differences, rather than allowing rivalry to obstruct national development.

He added that he will run a transitional government of national unity that will restructure the country so that states can control their resources, drive development and build institutions capable of working across the country’s differences.

Recalling his experience as governor, Makinde said trust between government and the people had changed the dynamics of elections in Oyo State.

“In 2023, I was sleeping while the election was going on because we had been able to bridge the trust deficit between the government and the people. So, I told them to do whatever they liked. It would not be easy for anybody to manipulate the results. They could go and check the results,” he said.

“The number of people who came out to vote compared with 2019 had reduced. However, our margin of victory increased despite the lower voter turnout.”

Makinde also reflected on past economic policies, recalling his university days with his friend Gideon, a former VASA director at GSK, both alumni of the University of Benin.

“Those were the days when a fresh graduate could not afford to buy a new vehicle. We all went to political parties to buy Tokunbo vehicles. I am sure people who know the history can probably relate to this,” he said.

“We bought his Toyota Carina from a political party. However, the problem was eventually addressed by opening up our borders to encourage our people to import Tokunbo vehicles. We also encouraged local manufacturers to start producing new vehicles. As soon as the tariffs began to increase, the prices of all the vehicles also went up.”

On petroleum pricing, Makinde faulted the argument that fuel must be expensive in Nigeria to prevent smuggling to neighbouring countries.

“At some point, we were told that the template for petroleum pricing was based on the argument that if fuel was cheaper in Nigeria, it would be smuggled into neighbouring countries,” he said.

“I said no. We have not even prosecuted anybody for smuggling. I have not seen anybody prosecuted for smuggling. We have not demolished any filling station along the borders for engaging in smuggling.”

“If Nigeria will become the supplier of choice to all our neighbouring countries, so be it. We should manage our borders but must not allow Nigerians to suffer because of the government’s inability to carry out its responsibilities,” he added.

Makinde urged Nigerians to scrutinise the manifesto, saying it contains different proposals, the responsibilities they entail and the standards against which their implementation can be assessed.
“I therefore invite every Nigerian to read it carefully, study the commitments, examine the timelines, ask difficult questions and challenge the assumptions,” he said.

“A national conversation about our future and the future of what could potentially become the greatest Black nation on the face of the earth deserves that level of scrutiny.”

“You all know the mess we are in. Our problems are complex, but we can provide simple solutions that will resonate with all Nigerians,” he said.

“This journey, particularly after the 16th, will help the country reduce its debt-service burden and create opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora to return home and contribute to nation-building.”

He concluded: “They want me to sit down, so I cannot continue speaking. I will therefore stop here for today.”

Opposition leaders at the event presented the Reset Nigeria Agenda as a credible alternative for Nigerians, promising a new direction in governance, economy, security and education.

The National Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, declared: “The sharp rise in the price of petroleum has oppressed ordinary Nigerians and worsened the cost of living.”

Dantalle, who is also the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), noted that the price has risen from about N200 to about N1,500, a development he described as miraculous and painful for citizens.

He added that the unveiling was not just about a plan, but about Nigeria, because a political party is only a vehicle for service, and the Makinde/Daura ticket represents hope for improved governance, economic prosperity and national security.

For his part, the vice-presidential candidate of the APM, Alhaji Lawal Daura, said the first government they intend to establish in 2027 will be a transitional government to reset the country.

Daura, a former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), declared: “The transitional government will be inclusive and run for four years to reset the economy, education, security architecture and socio-political space.”

He called for a national conference involving representatives of government and all segments of Nigerian society, to agree on a new structure that works for everyone.

He accused the National Assembly of enacting laws to serve the interests of the President and a privileged few rather than the broader Nigerian population.

He described Makinde as the most competent and credible contender in the 2027 presidential election, citing his record of performance, transparency and accountability, and urged Nigerians to judge candidates by track record rather than ethnic sentiments.

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Professor Sadiq Gombe, said: “Governor Seyi Makinde is a shining light of the opposition.”

Gombe noted that Makinde hosted the first initiative that brought opposition political parties in Nigeria together, and that initiative is still ongoing, as opposition parties are reaching out to one another and building relationships together.

He recalled that the SDP is among the six biggest political parties, alongside the APM, whose chairman, whom they fondly call the hyper chairman, was the first to chair a meeting of opposition political party leaders.

He stressed that Makinde and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State have truly rekindled the aspirations and light of democracy, and urged opposition leaders to emulate Makinde’s humility, commitment to mutual democracy and patriotism.