2027: Makinde’s popularity points to APM victory — Party

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The Allied Peoples Movement, APM, has said the growing popularity of its presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, particularly among young Nigerians, is an indication that the party is heading for victory in the 2027 presidential election.

The party said the enthusiasm around Makinde was driven by what it described as his longstanding connection with young people and his record of identifying with their aspirations, arguing that voters could distinguish between politicians who merely make promises during elections and those who demonstrate a genuine commitment to public service.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the APM said Makinde’s appeal among the youth was not accidental, citing his actions during the 2020 EndSARS protests and his opposition to the Federal Government’s suspension of X, formerly Twitter, in 2021.

“Nigerians know those who truly care for them. They can differentiate between mere election rhetoric and genuine commitment, devotion and capacity to serve,” the party said.

The APM recalled that Makinde personally joined youths during the EndSARS protest in 2020 and directed security agencies in Oyo State to provide adequate protection for protesters exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

It also recalled his opposition to the suspension of X in June 2021, when Makinde argued that the decision could hurt the livelihoods of young Nigerians who depended on the platform for business and other economic engagements.

The party said those experiences were among the reasons it believed young Nigerians were now identifying with Makinde as a presidential candidate they could trust.

It further said the proposed Makinde ‘Reset Nigeria Agenda’ would seek to change the way the country is governed by strengthening probity, transparency and accountability while giving ordinary Nigerians, especially youths, greater opportunity to participate in political and economic governance.

According to the APM, the agenda envisages a country where public officials are service-driven and accountable, while citizens’ views are respected and valued.

The party said it was not taking the confidence it claimed to enjoy for granted, adding that it was strengthening its structures nationwide ahead of the election.

“Indeed, our Party and Presidential candidate do not take this confidence reposed in us by Nigerians for granted,” the APM said.

It said the exercise was also aimed at ensuring that its votes and mandate were adequately protected during the election.

The APM urged Nigerians to remain alert as the 2027 election approaches, calling on citizens to vote and to use lawful means to resist any attempt to undermine the outcome of the polls.

The party expressed confidence that the Makinde/Daura ticket would secure victory on the APM platform in 2027.