Makinde defends 2027 run against Tinubu, says South-West can field two candidates
- Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde told an APM town hall in Akure that the South-West can produce more than one presidential candidate.
- He cited 1999, when Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae both ran for president.
- Makinde said his 2027 bid is about competence and energy, not region or age.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde don defend im decision to contest the 2027 presidential election against President Bola Tinubu, saying the South-West can present more than one candidate without harming the region's interests.
Makinde, wey be the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), talk on Thursday at the party's South-West town hall meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital. The event hold for Ondo State International Conference Centre, The Dome.
Critics bin ask why e dey run when the South-West already get the presidency. Makinde point to 1999, when the region produce former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae as presidential candidates.
"Heaven no fall," e talk, adding say the region just offer Nigeria two of im best to choose from.
No be about region, e talk
Makinde talk say im decision no be about where the President come from but about competence, fairness and national unity.
E talk say e support Tinubu in 2023 even though dem dey different parties, because e believe say the President go run government of national unity and competence. When dem ask am whether that one happen, e talk say the answer na no.
The governor talk say e go campaign on energy and stamina rather than age. E challenge other candidates to show their own physical fitness on the campaign trail.
E outline four pillars of wetin e call im Reset Nigeria agenda: education, the economy, security and sociopolitical empowerment.
On the economy, Makinde criticise the Federal Government's budgeting process, contrast am with Oyo State's January-to-December cycle and wetin e talk say be more than 70 per cent budget performance over seven years. E also question the reported presentation of the United Nations budget to the President in Abuja by Nigeria's permanent representatives to the UN.
E urge supporters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and take the party's message to households.
The APM vice-presidential candidate, Alhaji Lawal Daura, warn members against wetin e call political infiltration aimed at dividing the party, and talk say the party remain united.
Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle and National Leader Bala Mohammed dey among those at the event. Dantalle and Mohammed criticise the ruling party's economic policies, talk say dem don worsen hardship.
Those present include Oyo Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, former Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and campaign coordinator Eddy Olafeso.
Wetin go happen next
The 2027 general election still dey front, and Makinde's candidacy set up a contest within the South-West. Im call for voters to register and collect PVCs signal say the APM intend to build im campaign around grassroots mobilisation.
