***Obi Calls for United Opposition to Rescue Nigeria

The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, on Monday unveiled his “Reset Nigeria” agenda, promising to build a transparent and accountable system of governance while rejecting suggestions that his administration would return the country to the old fuel subsidy regime if elected in 2027.

Makinde spoke in Abuja at the commissioning of the APM presidential campaign headquarters, where he formally opened the party’s campaign machinery ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the proposed reform of the petroleum sector would not involve a return to the previous subsidy arrangement, but would ensure that Nigerians derive measurable benefits from the country’s crude oil resources.

According to him, crude oil supplied to Nigerian refineries should not be priced as though it were imported, arguing that domestic crude allocation must be structured in a manner that reduces the burden on consumers.

“Why should crude oil supplied to Nigerian refineries be priced as though Nigeria does not produce crude oil?” he asked.

Makinde said Nigeria’s oil resources must provide “a real and measurable benefit to Nigerians”, adding that such benefits should be incorporated into the petroleum pricing system from the outset rather than through what he described as opaque interventions at the petrol pump.

He also called for greater transparency across the petroleum value chain, including crude oil production, domestic crude allocation, refining, transportation, distribution, taxation and retail margins.

The Oyo State governor said Nigerians should be able to understand how petrol prices are determined, who receives what and where inefficiencies contribute to rising costs.

“That is what it means to Reset Nigeria. It means that we stop accepting systems that nobody can explain. It means that government must show its workings,” he said.

Makinde added that the proposed reset would also require government to account for how public resources were used and ensure that Nigerians benefited directly from the country’s economic growth.

He said the campaign would not be limited to political rallies, but would involve ordinary Nigerians in conversations about how to make the country work better.

According to him, the campaign would seek the views of traders, farmers, workers, small-business owners and young Nigerians grappling with rising living costs, unemployment and diminishing economic opportunities.

“This office belongs to that conversation. Its doors are open to Nigerians who believe that our country can work better than it does today,” he said.

Makinde, who appeared unfazed by suggestions that the APM presidential bid was unlikely to make an impact in the 2027 election, recalled his experience when he first sought the governorship of Oyo State.

He said some political observers had similarly dismissed his chances at the time, but the electorate eventually proved them wrong.

He said those dismissing the APM campaign were, in effect, discounting the aspirations of millions of Nigerians yearning for a better country.

“But we count. Our voices count. Our experiences count. Our ideas count. And, together, our votes will count,” he said.

Makinde urged Nigerians to join what he described as the “Reset Nigeria conversation”, stressing that the initiative was designed to promote transparent government, accountable leadership and responsible management of national resources.

Earlier, former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, called for unity among opposition political forces to rescue the country from its present challenges.

Obi, who spoke at the event, said Nigerians could no longer afford to continue along the current path, citing poverty, hunger and insecurity as major challenges confronting the country.

He, however, stressed that the ultimate decision on who would lead the country should belong to Nigerians through a free, fair and credible election.

“What we are doing today is to show you that, for us, we don’t have desperation. We want the people of Nigeria to make their choice,” Obi said.

He added that whoever emerged victorious in a credible election should be supported by all Nigerians in the task of rebuilding the country.

According to Obi, political differences should not prevent leaders from working together to address the challenges confronting ordinary citizens.

“We declare here the social guarantee to assure you that we are changing the politics. We don’t want policies of quarrel, politics of disagreement,” he said.

Obi said political leaders should rather compete over how to feed Nigerians, reduce poverty and create opportunities for citizens to improve their lives.

He expressed support for Makinde’s qualification to contest the presidency, saying the opposition should remain united in the broader objective of building a new Nigeria.

Earlier, APM Vice Presidential Candidate, Lawal Daura, said the party was entering the 2027 contest with seriousness and a determination to offer Nigerians an alternative.

Daura urged politicians to distinguish between eligibility and electability, saying some candidates might meet the constitutional requirements to contest an election without necessarily possessing the qualities needed to win the confidence of voters.

He also advocated issue-based campaigns, warning against the politics of personal attacks and mudslinging.

According to him, political parties should sell their programmes and demonstrate why their candidates are better equipped to govern rather than concentrating on destroying their opponents.
Daura also appealed to opposition parties to work together, arguing that cooperation should be viewed as an opportunity to advance Nigeria’s interests rather than as a sign of weakness.

“We are here for serious business. And that serious business is supposed to benefit the entire Nigerian population,” he said.

In his remarks, APM National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, said the commissioning of the campaign headquarters marked the beginning of what he described as the party’s journey to reset Nigeria.

Dantalle said the Makinde/Daura ticket offered Nigerians an alternative based on competence, accountability, security and economic prosperity.

He described the campaign headquarters as the “engine room” of the party’s 2027 campaign, saying APM was prepared to take its message to voters across the country.

Also speaking, Bauchi State Governor and APM National Leader, Bala Mohammed, said the party was determined to provide a new direction for Nigeria.
Mohammed commended the party’s leadership and said the APM had the organisational structure and political will required to compete effectively in the 2027 elections.

He said the party’s message would centre on “Nigeria First”, stressing the need for leadership that would create opportunities for Nigerians irrespective of their gender, age or social background.

The commissioning brought together APM leaders, candidates, members of the National Working Committee, lawmakers, party officials and supporters as the party formally commenced preparations for the 2027 general elections.