Oyo State Governor and presidential aspirant under the banner of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, publicly criticised the current economic strategies of the federal administration while launching his policy framework in Abuja on Thursday. Addressing supporters ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential poll, Makinde maintained that the country's struggles stem from an inadequacy of imaginative governance rather than a deficiency in material or human wealth.
Key highlights from the manifesto launch include Makinde's proposal to channel crude oil revenues exceeding budget benchmarks directly into social welfare, his call for constitutional amendments requiring a presidential winner to secure over 50 percent of total votes, and warnings from his running mate, Alhaji Lawal Musa Daura, regarding the suppression of political opposition.
What are the core pillars of the Reset Agenda manifesto?
Makinde asserted that the disconnect between national macroeconomic policy adjustments and the daily realities of citizens remains a critical hurdle for the country. "For us, macroeconomic reforms must translate into improvements in people’s lives," he stated, questioning the utility of financial indicators that fail to alleviate citizen hardship. To address fiscal management, he outlined a system for redirecting oil windfalls above benchmark projections toward enhanced public welfare. Additionally, the governor promised to institute verifiable performance benchmarks during his initial 100 days in office, stressing that official commitments require rigorous execution strategies and transparent governance structures.
Addressing the persistent challenges within the power sector, Makinde challenged Nigerians to demand accountability from the federal authorities regarding electricity delivery. He clarified that recent constitutional amendments empowering sub-national governments to generate and distribute power do not absolve the central government of its core responsibilities in the sector. Furthermore, his political platform aims to elevate rural living standards, foster inclusive opportunities regardless of ethnic or religious affiliations, and reinforce public institutions. "We must develop people’s abilities and expand their access to opportunities. We must also have institutions that work," he remarked.
What electoral and political reforms did the APM ticket propose?
To strengthen the democratic framework, Makinde advocated for an electoral threshold requiring presidential victors to poll more than 50 percent of all valid ballots, a measure he believes will foster wider political coalitions. He also recommended the formation of an interim government of national unity alongside a broad national dialogue to address structural grievances.
Meanwhile, the vice-presidential candidate and former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, decried the marginalization of opposition groups, emphasizing that a fair and competitive environment is vital for democratic survival. Opening the event, APM National Chairman Yusuf Mamman Dantalle framed the upcoming 2027 ballot as a collective mission to redirect the nation's trajectory. He also cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain absolute neutrality, declaring that electoral malpractice represents the most damaging form of criminality.