Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday formally accepted the presidential nomination of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), declaring that his ambition is driven by the urgent need to rebuild Nigeria through practical reforms and people-centred governance.
The declaration , held at the Ogunlesi Multi-purpose Hall in Ibadan drew political stakeholders, party leaders, delegates and coalition partners nationwide, including representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other groups under the emerging “Reset Nigeria Movement”.
“I stand before you today with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility as I accept the nomination to serve as the Presidential Candidate of the Allied People’s Movement,” Makinde said.
The governor positioned himself as a problem-solver, not a populist.
“I do not stand before you promising miracles. I am an engineer, not a miracle worker. What I promise is leadership that listens, leadership that learns, leadership that acts, and leadership that understands that the true purpose of government is to improve the lives of ordinary citizens,” he stated.
Makinde said Nigeria has the resources to overcome its challenges but needs honest leadership and reforms that impact citizens directly.
He pledged to reform the NNPC into a “lean, efficient and commercially driven institution” through corporate restructuring and stronger partnerships.
On food security, he said his administration would begin with accurate data on agricultural capacity to address gaps in production, processing, storage and logistics.
“It is unacceptable that a nation blessed with abundant resources still has millions of citizens going to bed hungry,” he said.
“This journey is not about one man’s ambition. It is about restoring faith in Nigeria. It is about rebuilding hope. It is about making the Nigerian dream achievable once again,” Makinde added.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, was represented by Deputy Governor Mohammed Auwal Jatau, who led a North-East delegation to endorse Makinde.
“We firmly believe that he is the leader Nigeria needs at this critical moment in our nation’s history… Bauchi State, the North-East region, and indeed many patriotic Nigerians across the northern part of the country stand firmly behind the APM movement,” Jatau said.
APM National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, described Makinde’s emergence as a defining moment and the start of a national rescue mission.
He said the primary was transparent and orderly.
“The destiny of Nigeria is at stake. This is the time to reset Nigeria and redirect the nation toward justice, equity, dignity, prosperity and national development,” Dantalle said.
Lagos APM governorship candidate, Laja Adeoye, cited Makinde’s record in Oyo as proof of capacity: “Oyo State has become a model… If he can transform Oyo State, he can help transform Nigeria.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the APM Oyo governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanbi, said the turnout showed growing strength of the PDP-APM coalition and its shared vision for national transformati
