Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election after being unanimously affirmed by delegates at the party’s presidential primary election held in Ibadan.
Makinde, who was the sole aspirant in the contest, was endorsed by party delegates during the presidential primary, collation and unveiling ceremony held at Emeritus Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, opposite the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
The governor was subsequently presented with the party’s flag and Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, amid cheers from party faithful, coalition partners, elected officials and delegates drawn from across the country.
His emergence formally launched the APM’s presidential campaign platform under the banner of the “Reset Nigeria Movement,” a coalition of political groups seeking to provide an alternative political direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
The event attracted prominent political figures, members of the National Assembly, state lawmakers, traditional rulers, governorship candidates and delegates from several states, including a high-powered delegation from Bauchi State.
Speaking shortly after accepting the nomination, Makinde said his presidential ambition was driven by a desire to restore hope, rebuild public confidence and reposition Nigeria through practical and people-centred reforms.
“I stand before you today with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility as I accept the nomination to serve as the Presidential Candidate of the Allied People’s Movement for the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
The governor argued that Nigeria possesses the resources and capacity to overcome its current economic and social challenges if provided with honest and competent leadership.
According to him, his administration’s experience in Oyo State demonstrates that governance can deliver measurable results when anchored on transparency, discipline and accountability.
Makinde pledged to pursue comprehensive reforms in the oil and gas sector, stressing that Nigerians must benefit more directly from the nation’s natural resources.
“Nigerians must benefit from the fact that we are an oil-producing nation, just as citizens of other resource-producing countries benefit from their natural wealth,” he said.
He also promised to reform the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, describing the national oil company as an institution that requires restructuring to become more efficient and commercially driven.
“The NNPC must be reformed into a lean, efficient and commercially driven institution through proper corporate restructuring, stronger partnerships and institutional reforms,” he stated.
On food security, Makinde said his administration would prioritise agricultural development through data-driven planning and investment across the agricultural value chain.
“It is unacceptable that a nation blessed with abundant resources still has millions of citizens going to bed hungry,” he said, adding that accurate agricultural data would be critical to addressing gaps in production, processing, storage and logistics.
The governor maintained that his campaign would focus on competence and practical solutions rather than political rhetoric.
“I do not stand before you promising miracles. I am an engineer, not a miracle worker. What I promise is leadership that listens, leadership that learns, leadership that acts, and leadership that understands that the true purpose of government is to improve the lives of ordinary citizens,” he said.
Earlier, APM National Chairman Dantalle described Makinde’s emergence as a defining moment in the party’s history and the beginning of what he called a national rescue mission.
According to him, the presidential primary was conducted peacefully and transparently, reflecting the coalition’s commitment to democratic values.
“Today, history has once again been made with the emergence of Engineer Seyi Makinde as the Presidential Candidate of the Allied People’s Movement in one of the most peaceful presidential primaries ever conducted in Nigeria,” Dantalle said.
“The process was transparent, orderly and free of rancour, reflecting the spirit of unity and cooperation that brought together progressive forces committed to building a better Nigeria.”
The party chairman said Nigeria urgently requires a new generation of leadership capable of tackling insecurity, unemployment, poverty, infrastructural deficits and social inequality.
He identified human capital development, education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, technology, youth empowerment and wealth creation as key priorities of the party’s agenda.
Dantalle also urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and support candidates based on competence and integrity.
“Your vote is your power. Do not trade your future for temporary rewards or inducements. Reject vote-buying and support leaders who place the interests of the people above personal gain,” he said.
In a welcome address, the APM governorship candidate in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, described the gathering as a historic moment for both the party and the country.
He said the coalition involving the APM, the Makinde-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party and other progressive groups was inspired by a shared belief that the development model implemented in Oyo State could be replicated nationally.
“Today, we are united by a common purpose. Through the coalition of the PDP, APM and other progressive forces, we believe that the achievements recorded in Oyo State can be replicated across Nigeria,” Adekanmbi said.
He cited improvements in infrastructure, security, economic growth and governance under Makinde’s administration as evidence of the governor’s leadership capacity.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Auwal Jatau, who represented Governor Bala Mohammed, endorsed Makinde’s candidacy and pledged support from stakeholders across the North-East.
“We firmly believe that he is the leader Nigeria needs at this critical moment in our nation’s history. We are confident that he possesses the vision, competence, experience and commitment required to move Nigeria forward,” Jatau said.
He added that Bauchi State and the North-East region would support the movement’s efforts to build a broad national coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Similarly, the Lagos State governorship candidate of the APM, Laja Adeoye, said the country was in need of competent and visionary leadership, arguing that Makinde’s record in Oyo State had positioned him as a credible presidential contender.
“If he can transform Oyo State, he can help transform Nigeria. Engineer Seyi Makinde has the vision to make that happen,” Adeoye said.
Party leaders at the event expressed confidence that the emerging coalition would expand its presence across the federation and establish itself as a formidable force in the race for Nigeria’s highest office.
They maintained that Saturday’s primary election represented more than the selection of a presidential candidate, describing it as the formal launch of a political movement aimed at redefining Nigeria’s future through what they termed a programme of national renewal and inclusive development.