The presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, Seyi Makinde, has called for collaboration among opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde, who is also the Oyo State Governor, made the call on Thursday at the APM national convention held at the Dr Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu Square, Government House, Bauchi.
He said a strong and credible opposition was necessary to sustain democracy, urging the party’s new leadership to work with other opposition groups to offer Nigerians a viable alternative in 2027.
Makinde said the 2027 election should focus on measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians rather than political slogans, promises and government announcements.
He said governments should be judged by their impact on household welfare, job creation, access to markets, productivity and security.
The governor said Nigeria needed an economy capable of lifting millions of people out of poverty, creating productive jobs for young Nigerians, improving education and strengthening national security.
He also called for a stronger federal system in which more decisions and resources would be transferred closer to the people, alongside greater accountability.
Makinde urged candidates to make the 2027 election a contest of ideas, evidence and records, with those seeking to lead the country explaining what they would do differently.
The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who was inaugurated as the APM national leader, expressed confidence in the Makinde and Lawal Daura presidential ticket.
Meanwhile, Makinde, has chosen former Director General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Musa Daura, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde announced Daura’s selection on Thursday at the party’s national convention in Bauchi.
The Oyo State governor said the opposition’s task ahead of the 2027 election was bigger than simply taking over power, stressing the need to give Nigerians a genuine choice about the future of the country.
“As we approach 2027, therefore, I believe the task before all of us is bigger than winning an election. It is to give Nigerians a real choice about the future of their country,” Makinde said.
He urged Nigerians to look beyond campaign slogans, promises and political declarations when assessing candidates ahead of the election.
Daura joined the APM days ago after resigning from the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
He replaces Ibrahim Adamu Bala, who was earlier announced as Makinde’s running mate but was reportedly intended as a placeholder.
Responding to his Daura’s nomination, the Bauchi State Governor described Makinde as the best presidential candidate for the country and said the party would promote inclusive governance if elected.
The re-elected National Chairman of the party, Yusuf Dantalle, described the APM as a strong political platform capable of leading Nigeria to prosperity.
Dantalle called on Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones and different ethnic, religious and cultural groups to support the party’s ambition of building a stronger and more united country.
He said the APM was determined to become a formidable national political movement capable of producing leaders Nigerians could trust ahead of the 2027 polls.
