Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde tied his 2027 presidential pitch to household hardship at a Lagos campaign launch, saying reports of rising foreign reserves do not show whether families can afford essentials.
Speaking by video on Saturday, Oct. 24, Makinde called for changes to Nigeria’s economy, security system and education, and referred to the country’s socio-political environment. His campaign website identifies him as the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) presidential candidate.
“We need to reset our economy, our security architecture, our educational system and the socio-political environment,” Makinde said.
He compared reports about reserves with a household head pointing to savings while family members went hungry. Makinde used the analogy to argue that a national financial indicator alone cannot show how people are faring. He had made a similar point in earlier remarks on Nigeria’s reserves.
The campaign’s published Reset Agenda has four pillars: economy, education, security and socio-political development. A September campaign newsletter had already outlined priorities that included reducing structural costs, improving education measurement and strengthening security coordination.
For the economy, the plan proposes lowering structural costs of living and doing business through improvements to infrastructure, energy and transport. It calls for stronger security intelligence and coordination, measures for education outcomes, and devolving some powers to state governments. The cost proposals target pressures on households and businesses, while the security and education proposals focus on public systems.
Tribune and Vanguard also reported that Makinde called for stronger federalism and a multiparty political system at the launch. Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for Jan. 16, 2027.
