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• Promises state police, economic reforms, jobs for youths, urges Nigerians to vote out APC
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja and Jude Owuamanam, Jos
The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has promised to end the persistent farmers-herders clashes and other security challenges in the Middle Belt if elected President in 2027, with plans to establish state police and introduce reforms to address insecurity, unemployment and economic hardship.
Makinde, who spoke during his presidential campaign in Jos, Plateau State, yesterday, said his proposed Reset Nigeria Agenda would prioritise decentralisation of the country’s security architecture, restoration of peace in troubled communities and economic policies that would improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
Makinde, who also presented his manifesto to the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Buba Gyang, and members of the Plateau State Council of Traditional Rulers, assured that the agenda would be pursued with sincerity, honesty and transparency, stressing that the challenges confronting the country required purposeful leadership and fundamental reforms.
On his security plans, Makinde said state police would enable states to respond more effectively to local security threats, particularly the recurring violence in the Middle Belt, which has claimed lives, displaced communities and disrupted agricultural activities.
“There’s a need to decentralise our security architecture, and state police is one of the ways to achieve this, but it must be properly structured,” he said.
He, however, maintained that states should not be compelled to establish their police formations simultaneously, arguing that those with the financial capacity and necessary institutional safeguards should be allowed to commence operations while others prepared themselves.
“States do not necessarily have to establish state police at the same time. Those that are ready can begin, provided the necessary safeguards are in place.”
Makinde recalled that when South-West governors approached former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 over decentralised policing, concerns were raised about the capacity of some states to fund their own police formations.
“When we approached President Buhari in 2019, one of the concerns he raised was that some states could not even pay workers’ salaries. He questioned how such states would be able to fund state police.”
He said the concerns subsequently informed the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, by South-West governors.
The APM candidate acknowledged fears that governors could abuse state police to intimidate political opponents but insisted that adequate safeguards could address such concerns.
“We must not pretend that there are no concerns. Some people are worried that governors could use state police to oppress their opponents or intimidate citizens. Those concerns are valid, and we must put safeguards in place.
“But the fact that something can be abused does not mean we should not do it. We must design a system that ensures accountability and protects the rights of the people.”
His remarks came amid ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to accommodate state police, with 30 State Houses of Assembly reported to have endorsed the proposal. The Senate has given the remaining state legislatures until November 15 to communicate their positions.
At the campaign rally, Makinde identified security as a major pillar of his Reset Nigeria Agenda, saying the restoration of peace in Plateau would revive tourism, attract investment and create employment opportunities for young people.
“Security is a major pillar of the RESET Agenda. Once we start attracting tourists, our economy on the Plateau will expand, and we will create jobs for our teeming youths.
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“So, please, go back to your various units and spread the reset message. Elections are won at the unit level. Go back to your units with the reset message. If Nigeria is not working for you, then let us reset it. When we reset Nigeria, we will have a country that works for everybody.”
He also linked rising insecurity to youth unemployment, warning that failure to provide economic opportunities for young Nigerians could worsen crime and social instability.
“We must create opportunities for these young people. If we fail to provide pathways for them to succeed, we should not be surprised when some of them turn to crime or other activities that threaten the stability of the country.”
On the economy, Makinde said his administration would prioritise skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, education and domestic production, insisting that government policies must translate into improved living standards rather than merely favourable economic indicators.
“The economy must work for everybody. We should not just be talking about foreign reserves, World Bank figures or inflation statistics. What matters is whether ordinary Nigerians can afford to feed themselves and meet their basic needs.”
The governor also urged Nigerians to vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the January 16, 2027 presidential election, accusing the ruling party of pursuing policies that benefited those in government at the expense of ordinary citizens.
“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. So, join me in building a Nigeria that will work for you, work for me and work for our children.”
Makinde further accused the ruling party of copying ideas from his Reset Nigeria Agenda, questioning why the government had begun promoting messages similar to those contained in his manifesto.
“When we unveiled our Reset Agenda, I said in Abuja that they would soon start stealing our ideas. Now they have started. 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?”
Earlier, at the palace of the Gbong Gwom Jos, Makinde told traditional rulers that Nigeria’s problems required sincerity, honesty and transparency from leaders, urging citizens to hold public officials accountable.
“Government must be sincere with the people and leaders must serve purposefully with commitment,” he said.
Also speaking at the rally, APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantelle, described the party’s campaign as a rescue mission, accusing the Federal Government of failing to deliver the benefits promised Nigerians following the removal of fuel subsidy.
“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 urged party supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation, saying the APM was determined to offer Nigerians an alternative to the present administration.
“We are here on a rescue mission, all of us. When you go back home, talk to somebody, who will talk to another person, and spread the message that there is a new party composed of people who fear God and have made a covenant with the people to ensure that what belongs to them is equitably returned to them. And that is the APM.”
Makinde, who had earlier visited Bauchi State as part of his presidential campaign engagements, urged supporters in Plateau to take the party’s message to their polling units ahead of the election.
