Makinde takes campaign to Plateau, attacks Tinubu, APC

File photo: Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde

The presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has urged voters in Plateau State to reject the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general election, calling on them to embrace his RESET Agenda.

Makinde made the call at a rally in Jos on Monday, monitored by our correspondent on television, where he accused the Tinubu administration of running a country that favours a privileged few at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.

He also accused the APC of borrowing ideas from his RESET Agenda, citing its recent adoption of the slogan, ‘Reform to Prosperity’.

APM Presidential stated, “I would have preferred this rally to have been held in the evening because, since I arrived, I have enjoyed the cool weather in Jos every evening. This tells us that if we get security right, people will come to Plateau State for tourism.

“Security is a major pillar of the Reset Agenda. Once we start attracting tourists, our economy on the Plateau will expand, and we will create jobs for our teeming youths.

“So, please, go back to your various units and spread the Reset message. Elections are won at the unit level. Go back to your units with the Reset message. If Nigeria is not working for you, then let us reset it. When we reset Nigeria, we will have a country that works for everybody.”

The APM candidate alleged that the APC had governed in the interest of a privileged few rather than the general population.

He stated, “Let me quickly say this: when we unveiled our Reset Agenda, I said in Abuja that they would soon start stealing our ideas. Now they have started. They say theirs is ‘Reform to Prosperity’. They now say they want a Nigeria that will work for everybody. What have they been doing over the past three years?

“They have built a Nigeria that works only for them. Send the oppressors packing. Send them back to Lagos, and let us bring in the team that will reset Nigeria. So, join me in building a Nigeria that will work for you, work for me and work for our children.”

The vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, appealed to voters in Plateau State to support the party, expressing confidence that the state would give it massive backing in the 2027 general election.

Daura, who described Plateau as a once-peaceful tourism destination, said the APM was committed to restoring peace and improving the state’s fortunes through its policy agenda.

• Hamzat tasks Lagos youths with PVC collection
• Nasarawa APC, SDP trade accusations over political violence
• 2027: APC targets Obi’s stronghold in Lagos

He stated, “We are here on the Plateau to appreciate you, solicit your support and express our understanding, which we believe you are likely to give more than any other state in the North-Central.

“Plateau has been a state of peace and tranquillity, a home of tourism where anything good used to be found. Personally, years back, I used to visit the Plateau at least three times a year.

“Unfortunately, some people have tried to spoil the Plateau. But we are here with our Reset agenda to set things right for the Plateau and for Nigeria.”

In his remarks, APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, criticised the Federal Government over the removal of the petrol subsidy, questioning whether the policy has improved Nigerians’ living conditions.

He said citizens were still struggling with high food prices, insecurity and difficulties accessing their farms.

Dantalle described the APM as a party on a rescue mission, urging Nigerians to spread its message and support its commitment to equitable distribution of resources, constitutional governance and improved living conditions.

He stated, “Subsidy has been withdrawn, according to the Federal Government, for one purpose: to give Nigerians a better life. But are we better off after that? We are paying through our noses. Food is not available. We cannot go to our farms. We cannot do anything.

“We are here on a rescue mission, all of us. When you go back home, talk to somebody who will talk to another person, and spread the message that there is a new party composed of people who fear God and have made a covenant with the people to ensure that what belongs to them is equitably returned to them. And that is the APM.

“We are not here to lie to you or deceive you. We are here as messengers of God and humane people who work within the confines of the Constitution, provided by all of us for all of us. And that is what democracy stands for.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential election.