Seyi Makinde, presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), says the country is blessed with abundant natural and human resources, but its leaders are “poor in ideas”.
Makinde spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the unveiling of his manifesto, where he presented his agenda to address Nigeria’s economic, political, social and institutional challenges.
The Oyo governor said the manifesto was developed through extensive consultations with Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones, including town hall meetings where citizens were asked about the kind of country they wanted.
“Nigeria has the resources and the capacity to achieve greatness. Nigeria is rich in natural resources and human resources, but our leaders are poor in ideas,” he said.
“Our simple proposition is that government must make life easier for the people. That is all.”
Makinde identified four fundamental concerns behind his decision to seek the presidency, including macroeconomic reforms without corresponding improvements in people’s welfare, weak institutions, and the growing poverty affecting more than half of the population.
He argued that macroeconomic stability must translate into affordable food, job creation, improved incomes and a lower cost of living rather than being measured only by economic figures.
The APM standard-bearer also called for greater government accountability, saying every political promise must be tied to a responsible institution, a delivery plan, and measurable outcomes that citizens can independently verify.
Makinde said if elected president, his administration would prioritise reducing the structural cost of living by lowering production costs and improving the operating environment for Nigerian businesses.
He identified electricity and energy costs as major constraints on manufacturers, noting that businesses relying on diesel-powered generators could not compete effectively with counterparts operating in more favourable environments.
Makinde said some Nigerian businesses were relocating abroad because of the country’s unfavourable business environment.
On petroleum pricing and rising crude oil prices, Makinde questioned why ordinary Nigerians should continue to bear the burden of increased international oil prices without receiving corresponding benefits.
Makinde criticised the federal government for shifting responsibility to state governments over the country’s persistent power challenges.
He said President Bola Tinubu earlier promised to improve electricity supply, insisting that Nigerians should hold the government accountable for its commitments.
The Oyo governor said the current electoral arrangement could produce presidents without sufficient support from most Nigerians, creating opportunities for political compromises that undermine democratic institutions.
He also proposed a transitional government of national unity that would bring together representatives of different segments of society to discuss and agree on the country’s future political and constitutional arrangements.
Makinde said his administration would establish measurable performance targets within its first 100 days and subject its achievements to public scrutiny.
DAURA ADVOCATES INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT
On his part, Lawal Daura, APM vice-presidential candidate, said Nigeria’s democracy could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, security, stability, prosperity and respect for democratic rights.
Daura warned against suppressing opposition parties, saying a strong opposition was essential to reducing political tension and strengthening democratic governance.
He said opposition parties should be regarded as complementary to government rather than enemies of the state.
The APM vice-presidential candidate said he and Makinde had agreed that Nigeria’s challenges required a national conversation involving all segments of society.
He advocated a national conference where government representatives, political parties and other stakeholders could openly discuss the country’s problems and agree on a common direction.
Sadiq Gombe, national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who attended the manifesto unveiling, described Makinde as a “shining light of the opposition”.
Gombe also commended Bala Mohammed, Bauchi governor and APM national leader, for what he described as his contributions to sustaining democracy and strengthening opposition politics in Nigeria.
Yusuf Dantalle, APM national chairman, called on Nigerians to resist attempts to use state institutions to undermine democracy.
Dantalle said the unveiling was about Nigeria’s future rather than the interests of any particular political party, adding that political platforms are vehicles for achieving national development.
Dantalle said insecurity had become a major concern, noting that Nigerians could no longer go about their daily activities without fear of kidnapping, including within the Federal Capital Territory.