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The Governor of Oyo State and Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement, APM, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde, has called on the Southwest geopolitical zone to once again assume its historic role as the vanguard of Nigeria’s progress and lead a new national rebirth under the Reset Nigeria agenda, while launching a scathing attack on turn-by-turn politics, nepotism and the federal government’s unclear fiscal management.
Makinde made the call on Wednesday, October 22, 2026, at the APM Southwest Town Hall held at the Ondo State International Conference Centre, The Dome, Akure, Ondo State, where he addressed a large gathering of party leaders, supporters, youth groups and major stakeholders from across the six states of the Southwest.
In a politically charged address that set the tone for the APM’s Southwest mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election, Makinde described the Southwest as the historic birthplace of progressive politics and national renewal in Nigeria, urging citizens to reject divisive entitlement politics and embrace competence, energy and vision as yardsticks for leadership.
He dismissed suggestions in some quarters that the Southwest should not field other presidential candidates in 2027 simply because the region currently holds the presidency under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing such argument as undemocratic, unprogressive and alien to the region’s political tradition.
Makinde recalled that in 1999, both Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Olu Falae, both illustrious sons of the Southwest, contested the presidential election without controversy, rancour or accusations of betrayal, stressing that democracy thrives on competition, not entitlement.
According to Makinde, leadership should be assessed by energy, competence, capacity and readiness for national service, not by turn-by-turn arrangements, ethnic entitlement or nepotism, adding that Nigeria needs leaders who can think, act and deliver in a complex global economy.
He outlined the four strategic pillars of his Reset Agenda – Education, Economy, Security and Socio-political Empowerment – emphasising that Nigeria’s prosperity and rebirth depend on a skilled and knowledgeable population, a productive and secure economy, and a political system where opposition can thrive and institutions are protected.
Makinde explained that under his Reset Agenda, education will be prioritised as the foundation for skills and knowledge, the economy will be repositioned from consumption to production, security will be strengthened to guarantee safety of lives and investments, and socio-political empowerment will ensure that every Nigerian has a stake in the nation’s democracy.
Taking a direct swipe at the federal government, Makinde criticised what he described as the federal government’s unclear and inconsistent budgeting process, contrasting it sharply with Oyo State’s consistent January-December budget cycle and over 70 per cent budget performance recorded over the past seven years of his administration.
He argued that transparent budgeting, fiscal discipline and predictable financial calendar are essential for development, investor confidence and effective service delivery, calling for a productive economy where states receive their statutory dues without delay and where taxation policies target prosperity creation rather than imposition of poverty on citizens.
Makinde urged supporters across the Southwest to become “Reset Agents,” obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, and take the Reset Nigeria message door-to-door, ward-to-ward and community-to-community, insisting that the Southwest must again serve as the birthplace of Nigeria’s rebirth.
“Together, we will reset Nigeria,” Makinde declared to thunderous applause from the audience, charging the people of the Southwest to lead the national conversation on rebirth, restructuring and responsible governance.
In his speech, the APM Vice Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Lawal Daura, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to resetting the country and warned members against political infiltration and sponsored division aimed at weakening the party ahead of 2027.
Daura stressed that the APM remains united, resolute and focused on its mission to reset Nigeria, urging members to remain vigilant and committed to the party’s ideals and manifesto.
In goodwill messages, former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; APM Deputy Director General (Administration), Hajia Maryam Inna Ciroma; and retired civil servant, Dr. Layi Ogunbambi, praised Makinde’s courage, vision and consistency, urging Nigerian youths to support visionary, energetic and competent leaders capable of addressing the nation’s multifaceted challenges.
They also called for the protection of democratic institutions, rule of law and the country’s multiparty system, warning against attempts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state and stifle opposition voices.
The party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, and National Leader, Senator Bala Mohammed, criticised the economic policies of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, saying the policies have deepened hardship, inflation and poverty across the country.
They expressed absolute confidence in the Makinde/Daura ticket, insisting that the APM has the capacity, competence and character to reset the nation, restore economic prosperity and return Nigeria to the path of inclusive growth if elected in 2027.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Southwest Zonal Coordinator of the Makinde-Daura Campaign Organisation, Chief Eddy Olafeso, said responsible governance must serve the people and affirmed that Governor Makinde is prepared, equipped and determined to redefine leadership and reset Nigeria for the benefit of all.
The well-attended event was graced by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governor, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; former Speaker, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; and other major Southwest stakeholders, traditional leaders and youth groups.
The statement was signed by Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor of Oyo State, on October 22, 2026.
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