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Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has accused President Bola Tinubu of prioritising political power over national unity, saying the administration has failed to translate its economic reforms into better living conditions for Nigerians.
Makinde, who declared his intention to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, said he supported the President in 2023 because he believed his political experience and alliances would help build a government of national unity and competence.
However, in a statement published on his RESET Nigeria website on Thursday, the governor said his assessment of the administration had changed after three years in office.
“I supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023. Today, I am running against him in the 2027 presidential election,” he said.
Makinde dismissed suggestions that his decision to contest against Tinubu was driven by a personal disagreement, insisting that his concern was the direction of the country and the opportunities available to its citizens.
He identified four major shortcomings of the Tinubu administration: economic stability without development, what he described as governing by excuses, the pursuit of political power at the expense of national unity, and economic reforms without adequate protection for vulnerable Nigerians.
On the economy, Makinde acknowledged improvements in some macroeconomic indicators but argued that increased government revenue and external reserves had not translated into enough jobs, stronger businesses, higher incomes and improved living conditions.
“I acknowledge the improvements in some macroeconomic indicators under this administration,” he said.
“But government revenues and external reserves mean little to ordinary Nigerians if those gains do not translate into productive businesses, jobs, better incomes and improved living conditions.”
The governor also criticised what he called the administration’s reliance on inherited challenges to explain its performance, arguing that Nigerians should be seeing measurable progress in tackling poverty, insecurity and electricity shortages.
“Over three years into this administration, we are still hearing explanations about inherited poverty, insecurity, electricity problems and other challenges, when Nigerians should be seeing more measurable progress towards resolving them,” he said.
On national unity, Makinde accused Tinubu of using political alliances primarily to advance his political interests rather than bring capable Nigerians together to address national challenges.
“Instead, I have come to believe that his political alliances serve his political objectives more than the national interest, and I am deeply concerned about the weakening of opposition parties, which are essential to a functioning democracy,” he said.
He further faulted the implementation of the petrol subsidy and foreign exchange reforms, saying he supported the need for changes but expected the government to introduce adequate measures to cushion their effects on Nigerians.
Makinde said millions of citizens who were already struggling had been exposed to further hardship because sufficient protection was not put in place before the reforms took effect.
The governor also said Tinubu should have used the transition period before assuming office to prepare for petrol subsidy removal and agree on relief measures with state governors through the National Economic Council.
He recalled that Tinubu had opposed the abrupt removal of petrol subsidy by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2012 and had witnessed the petrol and naira scarcity crises ahead of the 2023 elections.
Makinde said he would have convened the NEC to agree on interventions, including how they would be funded and implemented.
He urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the country, insisting that anyone seeking their votes in 2027 must clearly explain what they intend to do, how they will do it, when they will deliver and how their performance will be measured.
The APM candidate said his presidential ambition was anchored on his RESET Nigeria Agenda, adding that four years in office should be enough to demonstrate that a different approach to governance could produce better results.
