Get Guardian on GoogleThe presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday faulted the policies of the Federal Government.
He said Nigeria’s problem is not a shortage of resources but a shortage of ideas in leadership.
“Nigeria is rich in natural resources; Nigeria is rich in human resources, but our leaders are poor in ideas,” Makinde said.
He spoke at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, where he unveiled his Reset Agenda manifesto ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
He was joined by his running mate, Alhaji Lawal Musa Daura, and the APM National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle.
The governor said the gap between the country’s macroeconomic reforms and the living conditions of ordinary citizens was one of the major challenges facing Nigeria.
“For us, macroeconomic reforms must translate into improvements in people’s lives,” he said. He questioned the value of economic stability that does not improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
On the economy, Makinde proposed a mechanism for channeling crude oil earnings above the national budget benchmark into improved welfare for citizens.
He pledged to set measurable performance targets within his first 100 days in office and called for accountability in government spending.
He said government promises must be backed by clear implementation plans and accountable institutions.
On electricity, he urged Nigerians to hold the Federal Government to its promise of improved power supply.
He said the law granting states powers over electricity did not relieve the Federal Government of its duty to fix generation and distribution.
Makinde said his ambition was driven by the need to address the nation’s challenges and restore the vision of its founding fathers.
His administration would prioritise better living conditions for millions of Nigerians, especially in rural communities.
It would also expand opportunities for all citizens irrespective of tribe or religion and strengthen public institutions.
Government, he said, must make life easier for the people.
“We must develop people’s abilities and expand their access to opportunities. We must also have institutions that work,” he added.
On the political system, Makinde proposed that a presidential candidate should secure more than half of the votes cast to win, arguing that the rule would encourage broader political cooperation.
He also proposed a transitional government of national unity and a national conference to discuss the country’s challenges and agree on a common direction.
Daura, a former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), criticised the suppression of opposition parties. He said a level playing field was essential to sustaining democracy.
In his welcome address, Dantalle said the 2027 election was not about the APM but about the future of millions of Nigerians seeking to reset the country.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain neutral and ensure peaceful and credible polls. Electoral fraud, he warned, was the worst form of banditry.
