By Grant Onyeke
Allied Peoples Movement (APM) on Monday inaugurated its presidential campaign headquarters in Abuja, declaring a mission to reset the country through the Gov. Seyi Makinde-Lawal Daura ticket.
The party’s National Chairman, Dr Yusuf Dantalle, while performing the inauguration, stated that the occasion marked the beginning of a collective effort to redirect the nation.
“With this epoch-making event, the much-awaited journey to reset Nigeria has commenced,” he said, noting that the venue would serve as the engine room for APM’s upcoming victory.
Dantalle stated that the presidential ticket combined governance experience with security expertise, as represented by Makinde and Daura who, he said, had previously headed a critical security service.
“With a competent vice-presidential candidate, Daura, who once headed a critical security service in the country, insecurity will be tackled head-on,” he said.
According to him, Makinde’s track record in Oyo State has proven his capacity to deliver economic prosperity and national security.
Dantalle assured voters that the nationwide campaign would remain issue-based, focused on competence, unity and solutions rather than divisive politics.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion was also used to highlight what was termed the party’s recent electoral successes.
These were said to have included a clean sweep of local government elections in Bauchi State, which the party leadership described as a strong signal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the occasion, the party’s presidential candidate, Makinde, addressed critical national economic policies, specifically targetting the petroleum pricing framework.
Makinde, who is the governor of Oyo State, stated that domestic crude allocation should be priced to reflect local production rather than arbitrary global rates.
He advocated for complete transparency across the entire value chain, from production to retail margins, emphasising that government must show its workings.
Addressing issues around the skepticism in some quarters about his political structure, Makinde drew a parallel with his initial gubernatorial victory in Oyo State, warning that dismissing his movement equated to dismissing the daily hardships of the ordinary citizen.
“What they (skeptics) are really saying is that the hopes of millions of Nigerians do not count,” he noted.
The governor stressed that the campaign must transcend political elites to become an inclusive national dialogue involving traders, farmers, workers and youths.
While inviting citizens to utilise the new national campaign office as an open hub for community activities, Makinde urged voters to challenge ideas and actively participate in building a transparent and accountable government.
“This is our country; these are our resources; we count, and together, we will reset Nigeria,” he stated. (NAN)
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq