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From Paul Orude, Bauchi
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APM), Governor Seyi Makinde, on Saturday flagged off his campaign for the 2027 presidential election in Bauchi State.
Makinde expressed appreciation for the large turnout of supporters at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.
The candidate described the 2027 election as an opportunity to change the direction of the country.
He called on Nigerians to join what he termed the Reset Nigeria Movement, urging voters dissatisfied with the current state of affairs to embrace a new political direction.
Addressing the gathering, he expressed gratitude to Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, whom he described as his national leader, for his support and commitment to providing a political platform for the APM.
“I must first appreciate my national leader and the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.
“I also wish to appreciate my national chairman, Yusuf Maman Dantelle, for providing us with a sanctuary and giving us the APM platform through which we can offer ourselves to serve the people of Nigeria,” he said.
He also acknowledged the support of his wife, whom he described as his domestic leader, for giving him the encouragement and freedom to offer himself for public service again.
“I must appreciate my domestic leader, who has given me the support and latitude to offer myself once again to serve Nigeria – my dear wife. I appreciate you,” he added.
The APM candidate urged Nigerians dissatisfied with the state of governance, the lack of inclusiveness and what he described as insincerity in addressing the country’s challenges to support his proposed agenda for national transformation.
“If you are not happy with the state of affairs in our country today; if you are dissatisfied with the lack of inclusiveness; and if you believe that your government is not telling you the truth or handling the nation’s challenges with sincerity, then there is only one path before us.
“That path is to reset Nigeria,” he declared.
He subsequently challenged the people of Bauchi to become part of the movement, asking: “Will you become a resetter? Bauchi, will you be resetters?”
He also advised voters not to allow campaign inducements to influence their choices at the polls, urging them to collect money offered by politicians during campaigns but to vote according to their conscience.
“And please, do not be bothered when politicians bring you money during the campaign. Remember, that money belongs to you. Collect it and spend it, but when it is time to vote, vote according to your conscience,” he said.
Earlier, Governor Bala Mohammed assured the APM presidential candidate of the party’s support in Bauchi State, declaring that the state would mobilise support for him from the grassroots to the highest political level ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
The governor also assured political leaders and residents of the state that their interests would receive adequate attention under the candidate’s proposed administration if elected.
He appealed to the presidential candidate to give Bauchi State and other states in the North-East equitable consideration in the distribution of federal resources, political appointments and development interventions.
Mohammed lamented what he described as the difficulties opposition-led states faced in accessing federal interventions, insisting that Bauchi should not be neglected because of its political affiliation.
“We have chosen that line. We want to be in the mainstream, and you are the centre of the mainstream. So we are at your mercy and the mercy of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala,” he said.
The governor further appealed to the candidate to ensure that Bauchi benefited from federal opportunities and development projects if he emerged as president.
“Whatever that is coming, don’t take it to Oyo alone, take it to Bauchi too. That is how we do politics,” he added.
He also commended the consensus arrangement adopted by the APM in Bauchi State, saying candidates had emerged across the political structure, from the State House of Assembly to the governorship level, without rancour or serious disagreements.
According to him, the party is committed to building an inclusive political platform that accommodates diverse interests while promoting unity and collective responsibility.
Mohammed, however, cautioned against the possibility of a new administration reproducing the political exclusion and impunity that Nigerians had experienced, expressing confidence that the proposed Reset Nigeria Agenda would provide a sustainable path to national development.
