Seyi Makinde, presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), has pledged to serve only one four-year term if elected president of Nigeria in the 2027 general election.
Makinde made the declaration on Saturday during the party’s town hall meeting in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, where he promised to reset the country and address major challenges, including insecurity, poverty and persistent electricity shortages.
The Oyo State governor described his proposed administration as a transitional government of national unity that would prioritise solutions to Nigeria’s problems and ensure inclusiveness.
“Our government will not last beyond four years. And it will be an all-inclusive government,” Makinde said.
His pledge comes as Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has also promised to serve a single term if elected president in 2027.
The one-term commitment is largely aimed at addressing concerns over the rotation of political power between northern and southern Nigeria.
Makinde Promises Inclusive Government and Honest Leadership
Addressing attendees at the town hall meeting, Makinde promised that his administration would approach the country’s challenges with sincerity and listen to the concerns of Nigerians.
He said his government would avoid politicising issues affecting citizens, respect their rights and provide truthful information about the country’s situation.
“My promise to you, the north-east and the people of Nigeria is this: we will be sincere in finding solutions to the challenges that we are faced with,” he said.
“We will not play politics. We will not undermine your rights. We will ensure that we tell you the exact truth. We will listen to you. Solutions can come from anywhere.”
Makinde maintained that addressing Nigeria’s problems would require cooperation and ideas from people across different regions and backgrounds.
Makinde Accuses Tinubu’s Government of Failing Nigerians
The APM presidential candidate also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of failing to fulfil its campaign promises, particularly its commitment to improving electricity supply.
Makinde recalled that Tinubu had challenged Nigerians not to re-elect him if he failed to resolve the country’s electricity problems within four years.
He argued that the administration had not delivered on its promises and urged Nigerians to consider its performance when voting in the 2027 election.
“The current administration came in and told us that it had the magic wand to solve the challenges confronting us. So, we are all aware that they have failed to provide electricity and other things they promised. So, I believe we all know how to cast our ballots,” Makinde said.
He called on Nigerians to vote out the current administration in 2027, describing the forthcoming election as an opportunity to end what he called the “politics of lies and deceit”.
“It is a time when we will all come together to establish a reset agenda and tell Nigerians the whole truth,” the Oyo governor said.
APM Candidate Faults Tinubu’s Economic Policies
Makinde also criticised several policies introduced by the Tinubu administration, including those relating to compressed natural gas (CNG), electric vehicles and the naira-for-crude initiative.
He described the policies as failures and called on the federal government to make its petroleum pricing template publicly available.
According to him, Nigerians deserve to understand how the current prices of petroleum products are determined.
His call comes amid continuing public concerns about fuel prices and the broader cost of living.
Makinde said greater transparency in petroleum pricing would help Nigerians understand the factors influencing the cost of fuel.
Bala Mohammed Describes APM as Nigeria’s Leading Opposition Party
Also speaking at the town hall meeting, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who is the national leader of the APM, described the party as “the number one opposition party in the country”.
Mohammed said the party possessed the experience and capacity to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
He also reaffirmed the APM’s commitment to inclusiveness, mutual respect and providing opportunities for people from all parts of the country.
The party’s leadership said its approach would accommodate Nigerians from different backgrounds and promote participation in national development.
With the 2027 general election approaching, Makinde’s one-term pledge and criticism of the Tinubu administration add to the emerging debate over political leadership, power rotation and the policies needed to address Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
