Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, Seyi Makinde, has called for greater collaboration among opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying a credible opposition is essential to sustaining democracy.
Makinde made the call on Thursday at the APM national convention held at the Dr Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu Square, Government House, Bauchi, where he urged the party’s new leadership to work with other opposition parties to provide Nigerians with a credible alternative at the polls.
“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,” he said.
The governor said the proposed opposition collaboration should not be driven merely by the desire to remove those in power, but by the need to present Nigerians with a better and workable alternative.
According to him, political disagreement should not turn opponents into enemies, stressing that the opposition has a responsibility to offer Nigerians a clear choice on how the country should be governed.
“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 a better alternative,” Makinde said.
He also urged politicians seeking elective offices in 2027 to make the election a contest of ideas, evidence and measurable results rather than slogans, campaign promises and government announcements.
Makinde said Nigerians should assess governments based on how policies affect their daily lives, particularly food prices, employment, family welfare, access to markets and security.
“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.
The governor explained that citizens experience economic policies through what they can afford in the market, while job creation should be measured by whether Nigerians can secure productive employment.
He added that security should equally be assessed by the safety of citizens rather than the number of security meetings held by government officials.
“Security is not the number of security meetings in Government House. It is whether people come home and sleep with their two eyes closed,” Makinde said.
He said the 2027 election should therefore focus on what has changed in the lives of Nigerians and what each candidate intends to do differently if elected.
“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?” he asked.
Makinde said Nigeria needed an economy capable of lifting millions of people out of poverty, creating productive jobs for young Nigerians, improving the quality of education and strengthening national security.
He also advocated a stronger federal structure, arguing that more decisions and resources should be brought closer to the people while ensuring greater accountability for results.
“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 said the ultimate objective ahead of the 2027 elections should be to give Nigerians a genuine choice about the future of the country.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who was inaugurated as the national leader of the APM, expressed confidence in the Makinde and Lawal Daura presidential ticket.
Mohammed described Makinde as the best presidential candidate for Nigeria and said the party would provide an all-inclusive government if elected.
“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 said Makinde’s engineering background would be an advantage in tackling Nigeria’s development challenges, while describing the party’s administrators as capable of supporting 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 pledged that the APM would accommodate Nigerians from different backgrounds and pursue inclusive leadership if elected.
On his part, the re-elected National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, described the party as a formidable political platform capable of leading Nigeria to prosperity.
Dantalle said Nigeria had the resources and potential to become a prosperous nation but had been held back by leadership challenges.
“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,” he said.
He called on Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones and different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds to identify with the APM, saying the party was committed to building a stronger, more prosperous and united Nigeria.
Dantalle said the party would take its message of hope, unity, development and democratic renewal to local governments, states and communities across the country.
He also urged party members and supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation through what he described as “Operation Talk to Somebody,” aimed at engaging Nigerians and introducing them to the APM.
“Let us take our message of hope, unity, development and democratic renewal to everyone, every local government, state and community,” he said.
The national chairman expressed confidence that the APM would make significant gains in the 2027 elections, saying its unity of purpose, clear vision and commitment to Nigerians would position it for victory.
