Seyi Makinde, presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and governor of Oyo State, has presented his “Reset Nigeria Agenda,” outlining proposed changes to Nigeria’s economy, education, security and political system ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde unveiled the agenda at the Makinde/Daura 2027 Presidency North-West Zonal Town Hall Meeting in Katsina, where he said the country needed issue-based politics and leadership guided by constitutional provisions.
He said his proposed economic reforms would focus on building a more productive and competitive economy by investing in skills and knowledge while encouraging businesses and productive activities to operate around the clock.
According to him, Nigeria cannot compete effectively with economies that remain productive throughout the day if economic activities in the country largely shut down in the evening.
Makinde also promised changes in the education sector, particularly in tackling the number of children who are out of school. He said his administration would rely on accurate data to determine the scale of the problem and develop targeted measures to get more children back into school.
On security, the APM candidate described the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State as a national tragedy and argued that tackling insecurity should go beyond enforcement.
He proposed moving mining responsibilities closer to the state level while retaining regulatory functions for the Federal Government.
Makinde also said Nigeria’s political structure needed to be reworked by giving states greater responsibilities and powers in areas where decisions could be taken more effectively at the subnational level.
The governor further criticised President Bola Tinubu’s reported “working leave,” arguing that the Constitution provides for the formal transfer of presidential powers when the President is on vacation or otherwise unable to perform his duties.
Makinde said he would follow the constitutional requirement if elected president in 2027.
“I will follow the Constitution to the letter. Whenever I am unavailable or on vacation, I will transmit power to the Vice President. Record this and hold me accountable,” he declared.
Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution provides for the President to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.
Makinde also rejected a claim by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that the Federal Government provided ₦50 billion to support the upgrade of the Ibadan Airport.
He maintained that the airport project was being financed entirely by the Oyo State Government.
The APM presidential candidate also called on Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), while describing the 2027 contest in terms of what he said was a choice between the political establishment and Nigerians.
He said he would return to the North-West for further engagements in Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Zamfara and Jigawa as part of his planned state-by-state campaign activities.
Also speaking at the event, APM vice-presidential candidate and former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, identified insecurity as a major challenge facing the North-West.
Daura said the proposed administration would pursue alternative approaches to reducing violence and restoring security, while promising that the party would unveil further policy proposals aimed at addressing the country’s challenges.
The Makinde/Daura campaign has said its “Reset Nigeria” programme is built around issues including accountability, transparency, citizen participation and reforms across key sectors.
