The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has dismissed recent remarks by the Presidency against Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, describing them as evidence of growing apprehension within President Bola Tinubu’s camp ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the opposition party alleged that the Presidency had resorted to personal attacks and disparaging comments because it was unsettled by what it described as Makinde’s increasing popularity across the country.

The party maintained that Makinde, whom it identified as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election, would defeat President Tinubu at the polls, insisting that the ruling administration lacked a convincing performance record to secure another term in office.

According to the APM, criticisms directed at the Oyo State governor by presidential aides reflected anxiety within the Presidency rather than any weakness on the part of the opposition candidate.

“The Tinubu Presidency’s resort to diatribes and disparagement against our presidential candidate only confirms that it is nervous and in mortal fear of Governor Seyi Makinde’s soaring popularity ahead of the election,” the statement read.

The party also criticised the Presidency for relying on its spokespersons to engage in what it described as political attacks instead of responding to issues affecting governance and the welfare of Nigerians.

It further argued that President Tinubu should focus on presenting what it called a tangible record of achievements to Nigerians rather than engaging in exchanges with political opponents.

The APM claimed that Governor Makinde’s performance in Oyo State had positioned him as a credible alternative for national leadership, citing what it described as economic growth and improvements in governance under his administration.

It further alleged that many Nigerians, particularly young people, were rallying behind Makinde because of dissatisfaction with the current administration’s handling of the economy, security and other national challenges.

The opposition party said Makinde would campaign on a programme centred on economic revival, improved security, infrastructure renewal, job creation and anti-corruption reforms, expressing confidence that such an agenda would resonate with voters in the 2027 general election.

The APM also accused the Presidency of engaging in name-calling rather than issue-based politics, insisting that political discourse should focus on governance and policy alternatives.

“We will not be drawn into a war of insults. Our focus remains on issues. When spokespersons of a government resort to name-calling rather than addressing issues, then they have nothing substantial to offer,” the party stated.

The party urged the Presidency and its spokespersons to engage Nigerians on policy matters and governance, rather than what it described as attempts to discredit opposition figures.