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From Paul Orude, Bauchi
The presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, Seyi Makinde, has urged the new leadership of APM to collaborate with other opposition parties to unseat the incumbent ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, saying Nigerians deserve a credible alternative.
The Governor of Oyo State stated this on Thursday at the APM national convention held at the Dr Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu Square, Government House, Bauchi.
Makinde observed that APC, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has failed Nigerians.
He said the ultimate objective ahead of 2027 should be to give Nigerians a genuine choice about the future of the country.
“The task before all of us is bigger than winning an election. It is to give Nigerians a real choice about the future of their country,” he said.
“Let the coming campaign be a contest of ideas. Let us debate the evidence. Let us compare records. Let everyone seeking to lead Nigerians answer one simple question: How will the lives of Nigerians be better because we were given the opportunity to lead?”
The APM candidate said the forthcoming general election should be a contest of ideas and evidence, with candidates explaining how their policies would improve the lives of Nigerians.
“The 2027 election should not simply be about what government has done. It should be about what has changed for Nigerians,” he said.
“Those of us who offer ourselves as alternatives must answer the question: What exactly will we do differently, and what measurable difference should Nigeria expect to see?”
The APM presidential candidate said the country needs an economy capable of lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty, productive jobs for young people, quality education and effective security.
He said the party would work with other opposition political parties to provide Nigerians with a credible alternative in the 2027 general elections.
He said a strong opposition was essential for the sustenance of democracy.
“As I said, the presence of a credible opposition is what sustains democracy. So, our new leaders must be ready to work with other opposition parties to ensure that we give Nigeria an incredible alternative in the 2027 general election,” Makinde said.
The governor said the 2027 election should focus on measurable outcomes rather than political slogans, campaign promises and government announcements.
“For too long, we have measured governors by announcements. We are presented with policy after policy, rather than evidence of where those policies have made people’s lives better,” he said.
“When our mothers go to the market, they experience economic policy as a statistic. They experience it in what their money can buy: how much rice, how much beans, and how much they can take home.
“We experience job creation policy through a press statement. The experience is whether you can find productive work.”
Makinde called on the masses to assess governments based on productivity, access to markets, improved family welfare and security rather than the number of government programmes or security meetings.
He called for a stronger federal structure, saying more decisions and resources should be brought closer to the people while ensuring greater accountability.
“We need a federation in which more decisions and resources are brought closer to the people, accompanied by greater accountability for results,” he said.
The governor further called for a political system that would restore trust between leaders and citizens, stressing that political disagreement should not turn opponents into enemies.
He said, “We want a politics where disagreement does not make us enemies; a politics where opposition is not merely about removing those in power, but about presenting a credible and demonstrating better alternative.”
In his remarks, the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who was inaugurated as the national leader of the party, expressed confidence in the Makinde and Lawal Daura presidential ticket.
Mohammed described Makinde as the best presidential candidate for Nigeria, while expressing optimism that the party would provide an all-inclusive government if elected.
He said the recognition given to him as national leader came with enormous responsibility, promising that the party’s leadership would not disappoint its members and supporters.
“The recognition you have given us is going to give us a lot of challenges. It is for us to do more for you. By the grace of God, we will not disappoint you,” Mohammed said.
He added that Makinde’s engineering background would be an advantage in addressing the country’s development challenges, while the party’s administrators would support his leadership.
“We are putting square pegs in square holes. Our presidential candidate is an engineer by profession. He knows how to manufacture, develop and draw a plan, and we as administrators are behind him,” he said.
Mohammed also promised that the APM would work towards accommodating Nigerians across different backgrounds and provide inclusive leadership.
On his part, the re-elected National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, described the party as a formidable vehicle capable of leading Nigeria to prosperity.
Dantalle said Nigeria had the resources and potential to become a prosperous nation but had been hindered by leadership challenges.
He called on Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones and ethnic and religious divides to identify with the APM and support its ambition of building a stronger and more prosperous country.
“We have everything we need. Nigerians are not supposed to be slaves in their own country. God has given this country the greatness that we require.
“We call on all Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones, across ethnic, religious and cultural divides, to identify with the Allied People’s Movement because our party is committed to building a stronger, more prosperous and more united Nigeria.”
Dantalle said the APM was determined to emerge as a formidable national political movement capable of producing leaders Nigerians could trust.
He urged members and supporters of the party to take its message of hope, unity, development and democratic renewal to every local government, state and community.
“Let us take our message of hope, unity, development and democratic renewal to everyone, every local government, state and community,” he said.
“That is what I earlier referred to as ‘Operation Talk to Somebody, Talk to Somebody, Talk to Somebody’ until somebody gets to know that APM is a party to take you.”
The national chairman expressed confidence that the party would succeed in the 2027 elections, saying its unity of purpose, clear vision and commitment to Nigerians would position it for victory.
