By Adeola Badru
Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has challenged Nigerians to subject all presidential contenders in the 2027 election to rigorous scrutiny, insisting that the contest must be decided by proven records, workable ideas and capacity to deliver rather than slogans, personalities or political entertainment.
Makinde made the call in his latest newsletter as campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections formally got underway, urging voters to move beyond the traditional politics of promises and demand clear explanations from candidates on how their proposed policies would be implemented.
He said the commencement of the campaigns marked the beginning of a crucial national conversation about the direction of the country and the leadership required to address its challenges.
“For those of us offering ourselves to serve, it signals the beginning of an important national conversation about where Nigeria is today, where we should be heading and the leadership required to take us there,” Makinde said.
The governor said his own campaign would be driven by a commitment to put Nigerians at the centre of governance, declaring that the objective was to fundamentally change the way the country works.
“For me, this campaign will be about putting Nigerians first, stating, “Our central message to Nigerians is that we have to reset our country so that it works for all Nigerians, not just a select few.”
He said he would embark on engagements across all six geopolitical zones, stressing that the exercise would be designed not merely to sell his political message but, more importantly, to listen to Nigerians and understand their everyday struggles.
“I want to hear directly from Nigerians: workers whose incomes no longer meet their basic needs; business owners struggling to remain open; farmers concerned about security, production and access to markets; young people seeking opportunities to build meaningful lives; and families who want to feel safe in their homes and communities,” he said.
According to the governor, his manifesto, “The Reset Agenda,” is currently undergoing stakeholders’ review and will address some of the country’s most pressing challenges, including insecurity, economic hardship, the rising cost of living and food security.
He stressed that the document would be different from conventional campaign manifestos that are often filled with broad promises without sufficient explanation of how they would be achieved.
“As we develop and present these plans, we will show not only what we intend to do but how we intend to do it, how it will be funded and the outcomes Nigerians should expect,” Makinde said.
The governor maintained that Nigerians should demand greater accountability from politicians seeking public office, arguing that past performance should be a major consideration in determining who deserves their votes.
“This is important because campaigns should be about more than slogans, personalities and promises. Nigerians must be able to examine every candidate’s record, ideas and capacity to deliver,” he said.
Makinde urged voters to interrogate the records of aspirants who had previously occupied public positions and assess whether they had delivered tangible results when entrusted with responsibility.
“They must be able to ask: What has this person done with the responsibilities previously entrusted to them? What measurable difference did their leadership make? And can their proposed solutions address the realities we face?” he asked.
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