The MakindeDaura Presidential Campaign Organization (MDPCO) has clarified that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s remarks on the physical fitness, energy and stamina required of Nigeria’s next president were not directed at President Bola Tinubu but constituted a general challenge to all presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The organisation made the clarification in a post on its official X handle on Sunday following reactions to Makinde’s comments at the South-West Town Hall meeting held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at The Dome, Ondo State International Conference Centre, Akure.
Makinde, while addressing issues relating to national development, had highlighted education, the economy, security and socio-political empowerment as key pillars of his proposed Reset Nigeria agenda.
He also criticised entitlement-based and “turn-by-turn” politics, stressing the need for inclusive governance, effective budget implementation and leadership capable of addressing the country’s mounting challenges.
The governor argued that Nigeria needed a president with the energy and stamina to withstand the demands of the office, including the ability to work late and effectively manage the responsibilities of national leadership.
His remarks subsequently generated debate, with some interpreting them as a direct reference to Tinubu’s fitness for office.
However, the MDPCO maintained that such an interpretation misrepresented the context and intention of the governor’s comments.
According to the organisation, Makinde’s position should be understood as a call for every individual seeking the nation’s highest office to demonstrate the capacity to meet the physical, intellectual and administrative demands of the presidency.
The organisation’s clarification also stressed the importance of assessing presidential aspirants on their preparedness to confront Nigeria’s economic, security and governance challenges rather than interpreting policy-driven comments through the lens of partisan rivalry.
It maintained that the 2027 presidential contest should focus on the quality of candidates, their policy proposals, leadership capacity and ability to deliver measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
“At no point did H.E. Seyi Makinde mention President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s name in such comparison during the Townhall meeting; he issued a general challenge to presidential candidates to match a demonstration of physical capacity (he jumped down from the stage once to illustrate the point) and invited supporters to vote for those who could do the same,” MakindeDaura Presidential campaign organization said.
The controversy has further deepen the growing debate over presidential fitness and the demands of leadership as political parties and aspirants position themselves for the 2027 general elections.