By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has assured Nigerians that issues and concerns raised during the party’s North-Central Town Hall Meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, will be reflected in the party’s manifesto ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde gave the assurance after the town hall meeting held on Monday, September 28, 2026, as part of the APM’s ongoing zonal consultations with citizens and stakeholders across the country.
In a message posted on his official Facebook page after the engagement, the APM presidential candidate expressed appreciation to the people of Nasarawa State for hosting the meeting, saying the party had taken note of the concerns presented by participants.
“Thank you, our good people in Nasarawa, for hosting the APM North Central Town Hall Meeting today. We have taken note of all issues highlighted during the meeting and we will ensure that our manifesto reflects the feedback we receive from each zone,” Makinde stated.
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He also acknowledged the hospitality extended by the Emir of Lafia, His Royal Highness Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (Rtd), CFR, describing his reception as an important part of the engagement.
“Let me also thank His Royal Highness, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (Rtd), CFR, Emir of Lafia for his warm welcome and hospitality and for listening to us as we set out our plans for the North Central and Nigeria,” he added.
The meeting provided Makinde with an opportunity to elaborate on his proposed “Reset Nigeria” agenda, which he said would focus on security, education, economic development and reforms to Nigeria’s socio-political environment.
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According to him, the proposed reset could be implemented within four years if he is elected president in 2027. “We can reset and give Nigeria a new security architecture, reset and give Nigeria a new path for education, our economy utilising data, science, and logic, and reset our socio-political environment in four years,” he said.
Makinde also raised concerns about insecurity in the North-Central region, questioning the planning and budgetary provisions surrounding the establishment of additional Army divisions. He argued that major security interventions should be backed by adequate planning and funding.
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On the economy, the governor questioned whether increased allocations to state governments had translated into a corresponding reduction in hunger and hardship among Nigerians. He also cited Oyo State’s experience in reducing its dependence on federal allocation as part of his argument for greater economic productivity and internally generated revenue.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the APM candidate further said his proposed administration would pursue an economy driven by data, science and evidence-based decision-making, while introducing targeted programmes for groups including women in agriculture, market women, widows and persons living with disabilities.
Makinde also told participants that the 2027 presidential election would ultimately be determined by Nigerians. “This election will be determined by the people of Nigeria,” he said, arguing that the outcome would not be determined by political pundits, pollsters, wealthy supporters or campaign spending.
The Lafia meeting was part of the APM’s broader zonal consultation programme designed to engage citizens and stakeholders across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The campaign had earlier said the meetings would be issue-based and citizen-driven, with discussions focused on national stability and the wellbeing of Nigerians.
The North-Central engagement brought together APM leaders, candidates, party stakeholders and participants from across the region. Makinde had also met with APM candidates from the North-Central zone ahead of the town hall meeting to discuss coordination and the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
During the engagement, Makinde reiterated his message of national renewal, saying: “We will reset Nigeria so that it works for all Nigerians.”
The Lafia town hall therefore marks another stage in the APM’s nationwide consultation process, with the party expected to use feedback from the various engagements to shape its manifesto and policy proposals ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
