By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
AKURE, Ondo State — October 22, 2026
Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has defended his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election, declaring that the South-West can produce more than one presidential candidate without compromising the interests of the region.
Makinde made the declaration on Thursday at the APM South-West Town Hall Meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where he presented his political vision and economic reform agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing participants, the governor said the emergence of another presidential candidate from the South-West should not be regarded as a threat to the region’s political interests, citing the 1999 presidential election in which Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae contested against each other.
He argued that the region’s political strength should be measured by its ability to offer Nigerians credible choices rather than insisting on a single candidate from the zone.
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Makinde also unveiled his RESET agenda, which focuses on repositioning Nigeria’s economy, improving security, strengthening agriculture and rebuilding public confidence in governance. He said the proposed programme would seek to move Nigerians from poverty to prosperity by creating an environment that supports productivity and economic growth.
On taxation, the APM presidential candidate called on government authorities to prioritise economic productivity and prosperity rather than imposing additional burdens on struggling citizens. He maintained that Nigerians should be empowered to generate wealth before being expected to contribute more through taxation.
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The governor also criticised what he described as attempts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties, warning that democracy would suffer if political competition was restricted. He called for an environment in which opposition parties could operate freely and present alternative policies to Nigerians.
Speaking about the demands of the presidential race, Makinde said he would focus on energy, stamina and the ability to meet the responsibilities of national leadership rather than making age a central issue in the campaign. He challenged rival presidential candidates to demonstrate their physical fitness, drawing attention to his own energetic campaign style.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the Akure meeting forms part of the APM’s efforts to strengthen its political structures and mobilise support across the South-West ahead of the 2027 elections. Makinde’s remarks placed economic reform, democratic competition and the need for credible electoral choices at the centre of the party’s campaign message.
