Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has said the 2027 presidential election will be a contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and ordinary Nigerians, rather than between political parties.
Speaking in Katsina on Tuesday during a Northwest town hall meeting organized by his campaign team to present the party’s ‘Reset Nigeria’ agenda, Makinde declared:
‘It would not be APC versus APM, or APM versus APC, or APC versus ADC-it will be APC versus Nigerians.’
Urging citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively, Makinde outlined that the ‘Reset Nigeria’ initiative focuses on the economy, education, insecurity, and institutional reforms to build a country that works for all citizens regardless of tribe, religion, or region.
Makinde also used the event to refute claims made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu granted Oyo State N50 billion to upgrade the Ibadan Airport.
Wike had claimed during a television interview on Monday that the Federal Government provided the funds to support the upgrade of the Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan to international standards.
Describing the assertion as false, Makinde clarified that the project is funded 100 percent by the Oyo State Government.
‘My attention was called to an interview granted by the FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, where he said the President gave ?50 billion to Oyo State or to me to upgrade the airport in Ibadan to international standards. I want to say that claim is false,’ Makinde stated.
‘The President didn’t give ?50 billion to me or to Oyo State to upgrade the Ibadan Airport. The project is being undertaken 100 percent with the state’s resources.’
The APM presidential candidate expressed deep concern over the country’s worsening security situation, citing the recent killing of 37 young Nigerians in Niger State.
He also criticized President Tinubu for failing to formally transmit executive power to Vice President Kashim Shettima during extended foreign trips, citing Section 145 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Makinde emphasized that he consistently hands over power to his deputy whenever he travels abroad for more than 21 days, promising to uphold this constitutional requirement if elected.
Also speaking at the event, the party’s vice-presidential candidate and former DSS Director-General, Lawal Musa Daura, identified insecurity and poverty as the twin challenges crippling the Northwest region.
Daura emphasized that the Makinde-led APM ticket offers Nigerians a viable alternative, committing to systematic national restoration. He called on citizens to exercise their civic duty within lawful bounds and support the APM campaign in restoring peace and economic stability across the nation.