Beatrice Gondyi Bauchi
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Movement (APM), Governor Seyi Makinde, has declared that Nigerians hold the key to ending the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that only the people’s votes will determine the outcome of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde made the declaration in Bauchi after a closed-door consultation with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, where both leaders discussed national security, governance, democratic development and the future of opposition politics in Nigeria.
The Oyo governor said his confidence in winning the presidency was anchored on the Nigerian electorate, recalling that he emerged governor in 2019 despite contesting against an entrenched ruling party that controlled the Federal Government, Oyo State and all local government councils.
“We have done it before. In 2019, we contested as an opposition party and defeated an incumbent administration. Democracy belongs to the people, and when the time comes, Nigerians will speak loud and clear,” he said.
He maintained that while the opposition currently operates in what he described as a difficult political environment, Nigerians must be allowed to freely express their democratic choice.
“If Nigerians are satisfied with the current administration, they can vote for continuity. If they are not, their voices must not be suppressed. The will of the people must prevail,” Makinde stated.
On the nation’s worsening security situation, the APM presidential candidate advocated constitutional reforms to establish state policing, arguing that governors cannot effectively tackle insecurity without operational control over security agencies in their states.
According to him, governors are unfairly held accountable for insecurity despite lacking the authority to direct the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) or the military.
“You cannot give someone responsibility without authority. Governors are called chief security officers, yet they cannot issue operational directives to security agencies. We will correct that imbalance by ensuring responsibility goes hand in hand with authority,” he said.
Makinde stressed that any state policing arrangement under his administration would be backed by legal safeguards to ensure accountability and prevent abuse.
Speaking on the choice of a running mate, the presidential hopeful said consultations with political stakeholders and coalition partners were ongoing, adding that no final decision had been reached.
He recalled that before the 2019 Oyo governorship election, his initial deputy governorship candidate served as a placeholder until negotiations with allied opposition parties were concluded.
“The consultations are still ongoing, and we have enough time before submitting names to INEC. Nigerians should expect an outcome that reflects broad consensus,” he said.
The National Chairman of APM, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, explained that APM’s vision for rebuilding Nigeria, saying the party would depart from “politics as usual” by focusing on grassroots development, institutional reforms and accountable leadership.
He lamented what he called the country’s declining global image and criticised what he described as the Federal Government’s response to the plight of Nigerians abroad, as well as recent developments within democratic institutions.
“In the history of this country, Nigerians have never desired change as much as they do today. Nobody will save Nigeria unless Nigerians decide to save it themselves,” he said.
The APM standard-bearer urged citizens to take ownership of the country’s democratic future, insisting that the party was prepared to provide constructive leadership capable of repositioning Nigeria.
“APM is coming to reset Nigeria, reboot the nation and begin solving its problems from the grassroots. This is not about individuals or political ambition. It is about building a Nigeria that works for all Nigerians,” he declared.
In his remarks, Governor Bala Mohammed said the visit reflected a long-standing tradition of consultation and peer review that dates back to their time in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said the practice has fostered continuous collaboration among leaders at both the subnational and national levels, enabling them to exchange ideas and develop solutions to governance challenges.
Governor Bala Mohammed praised Governor Makinde’s achievements in Oyo State, describing him as a seasoned engineer whose administration has transformed the state through major infrastructure development.
According to him, Oyo has witnessed remarkable progress in road construction and other public projects, including the reconstruction of the state’s airport, which he noted is owned by the Federal Government.
“You will hardly recognize Oyo as the same city once described in literary works as an old city. Today, it has been transformed with modern roads, an upgraded airport and other critical infrastructure,” he said.
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