Makinde Unveils Reset Nigeria Manifesto, Promises Major Reforms

By Ibrahim Kegbegbe

ABUJA — Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has unveiled his 2027 presidential manifesto, tagged Reset Nigeria Agenda, outlining proposed reforms in the economy, security, education and the country’s socio-political system.

Makinde presented the manifesto on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at an event in Abuja, where he was accompanied by his running mate, Alhaji Lawal Daura, and other political stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, the governor said his decision to seek the presidency was informed by the need to address Nigeria’s development challenges, improve citizens’ living conditions and restore confidence in public institutions.

He argued that Nigeria was not lacking in natural and human resources but faced leadership and governance challenges that had prevented the country from fully realising its potential. According to him, government policies must go beyond economic statistics and translate into better living conditions, employment opportunities, improved incomes and reduced cost of living.

The Reset Nigeria Agenda is built around four major pillars: resetting the economy, restructuring the security architecture, reforming education and resetting the country’s socio-political system.

On the economy, Makinde proposed reducing the structural costs of living and doing business, improving infrastructure, addressing energy challenges and creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow. He maintained that economic reforms would only be meaningful when their benefits translate into improved welfare for ordinary Nigerians.

He also called for greater accountability in the management of public resources, insisting that government policies and promises must be backed by clear implementation plans, responsible institutions and measurable results. He pledged that his proposed administration would establish performance targets within its first 100 days in office and subject its achievements to public scrutiny.

On security, the APM presidential candidate advocated a reorganisation of Nigeria’s security architecture, with greater emphasis on intelligence gathering, early warning systems, coordination among security agencies and community-based information sharing. He said Nigerians should be able to live, travel, work and conduct their businesses without fear.

In the education sector, the manifesto proposes improved learning outcomes, increased access to quality education, measures to address the challenge of out-of-school children and stronger connections between education, technical training and employment opportunities for young Nigerians.

Addressing the country’s political structure, Makinde advocated stronger democratic institutions, greater accountability and a national conversation involving different sections of the country. He also proposed a transitional government of national unity that would bring together Nigerians across political, ethnic and regional divides to discuss the country’s future.

He further proposed that presidential candidates should secure at least 51 per cent of votes cast to emerge victorious in presidential elections, arguing that such an arrangement would encourage broader political cooperation and consensus-building.

The governor said the manifesto was developed through consultations with Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones, including town hall meetings where citizens were given opportunities to express their concerns and expectations about the country’s future.

In his remarks, Daura said Nigeria’s democratic development required peace, security, stability, prosperity and a level playing field for political participation. He cautioned against actions capable of weakening opposition parties, stressing that opposition groups should be regarded as complementary to democratic governance rather than enemies of the government.

Daura also advocated a national conference where political parties, government representatives and other stakeholders could discuss the country’s challenges and agree on a common direction.

The Merit Newspaper reports that the National Chairman of APM, Alhaji Yusuf Muhammad Dantalle, also called for a national reset, expressing concern over insecurity, economic difficulties and restrictions on political participation. He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure credible, free and fair elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The unveiling of the Reset Nigeria Agenda marks a major policy presentation by the Makinde-Daura presidential campaign as the APM prepares for the January 16, 2027 presidential election.