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The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of copying key ideas from his party’s manifesto, challenging the ruling party to explain what it has achieved after three years in power.
Makinde made the allegation on Monday at the APM presidential campaign rally in Jos, Plateau State, where he urged Nigerians to reject the APC and support his party in the forthcoming elections.
The Oyo State governor unveiled his manifesto, titled Reset Nigeria Agenda, on November 4, while the APC is scheduled to launch its manifesto, themed From Reforms to Prosperity, on Tuesday.
Addressing supporters, Makinde alleged that the ruling party had begun adopting ideas from his policy document, particularly its promise to build a Nigeria that works for everyone.
“Let me quickly say this: when we unveiled our reset agenda, I said in Abuja that they would soon start stealing our ideas. Now they have started,” he said.
“They say theirs is ‘reform to prosperity’. They now say they want a Nigeria that will work for everybody. What have they been doing over the past three years?”
Makinde accused the APC-led government of running a country that benefits only those in power, while ordinary Nigerians continue to struggle with worsening economic conditions.
“They have built a Nigeria that works only for them. Send the oppressors packing. Send them back to Lagos, and let us bring in the team that will reset Nigeria,” he said.
He urged party supporters to take the APM’s message to their respective polling units, stressing that grassroots mobilisation would determine the outcome of the elections.
“Go back to your various units and spread the reset message. Elections are won at the unit level. If Nigeria is not working for you, then let us reset it,” he said.
On security, Makinde identified improved safety as a major pillar of his agenda, arguing that addressing insecurity in Plateau State would revive its tourism industry, attract visitors and create employment opportunities for young people.
He said the state’s favourable weather and tourism potential could contribute significantly to economic growth if lasting security was restored.
The APM vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, said the party’s leadership was in Plateau State to seek residents’ support for its plans to restore the state’s reputation as a peaceful tourism destination.
Daura lamented the security challenges affecting the state and expressed confidence that the party’s proposed policies would address them.
Also speaking, APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantelle, criticised the Federal Government’s handling of petrol subsidy removal, questioning whether Nigerians had experienced the improved living conditions promised by the policy.
He argued that the removal had increased the financial burden on households, with rising food prices and insecurity further worsening the situation.
“Subsidy has been withdrawn, according to the federal government, for one purpose: to give Nigerians a better life. But are we better off after that? We are paying through our noses. Food is not available. We cannot go to our farms. We cannot do anything,” Dantelle said.
He urged Nigerians to support the APM, describing it as a political platform committed to equitable distribution of resources, constitutional governance and improved living conditions.
