Makinde Unveils ‘Reset Nigeria’ Manifesto, Says Presidency Would Be Transitional

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has unveiled his “Reset Nigeria” manifesto, promising to tackle poverty, hunger and the rising cost of living if elected president in the 2027 general election.

Makinde said his proposed economic reforms would focus on improving the welfare of Nigerians rather than pursuing macroeconomic stability without tangible benefits for households and businesses.

He also proposed an overhaul of the country’s political system and institutions, describing his proposed four-year tenure as a transitional administration to reset the polity.

The governor, however, said he would not seek to benefit personally from the transition.

Makinde unveiled the manifesto while addressing party chieftains in Abuja, where he outlined the principles and policies underpinning his presidential ambition.

He argued that economic stability must translate into improved living conditions, job creation, higher incomes and a lower cost of living.

“For us, macroeconomic reforms must translate into improvements in people’s lives,” he said.

He cited a recent social media comment by a person he identified as Kanu Adamu, who reportedly argued that economic stability should mean access to affordable food.

“What does macroeconomic stability mean if it does not improve the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians?” Makinde asked.

The governor identified four major concerns behind his decision to seek the presidency, including the prioritisation of macroeconomic reforms over broad-based growth, the need for government to take responsibility for results, the strengthening of national institutions and the need to place Nigerians living in poverty at the centre of government decisions.

He said Nigeria’s abundant natural and human resources had not translated into national prosperity because of a shortage of ideas among its leaders.

“Nigeria has the resources and the capacity to achieve greatness. Nigeria is rich in natural resources and human resources, but our leaders are poor in ideas,” he said.

Makinde also called for institutions that would operate across political, ethnic and religious differences, arguing that national development should take precedence over party affiliations and personal connections.

According to him, the manifesto was shaped by consultations and town hall meetings held across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

He said the engagements allowed the campaign to hear directly from Nigerians about the kind of country they wanted.

The governor recalled that a participant at a meeting in the North-East had asked whether he could become a leader in the mould of Nigeria’s founding figures, including Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Makinde said the question underscored the responsibility facing those seeking to lead the country.

He described Nigeria’s founding vision as a relay race in which the baton had been dropped along the way, arguing that the country must return to rebuilding the nation envisioned by its founding fathers.

“We want a Nigeria that works for every Nigerian, irrespective of the part of the country they come from, their religious background or their ethnic identity,” he said.

Promises to lower the cost of living

Makinde said the APM’s economic agenda would focus on reducing the structural costs that make goods and services expensive in Nigeria.

He argued that high production costs, particularly the cost of energy, had made Nigerian businesses less competitive and forced some companies to relocate or scale down operations.

Using manufacturers who rely on diesel-powered generators as an example, he said the government should make it easier for businesses to access more affordable electricity through the national grid.

He also cited the export of plastics and other products to neighbouring Benin Republic, arguing that Nigeria’s operating environment needed to become more competitive.

“Our economic agenda focuses on reducing the structural cost of living. We must lower the cost of production and enable Nigerian businesses to become competitive,” he said.

The APM candidate said government policies should be assessed by their impact on ordinary citizens, adding that concrete promises must be linked to responsible institutions, delivery plans and measurable outcomes.

“Every promise must be linked to a responsible institution, a delivery plan and measurable results that citizens can verify,” he said.

Makinde also criticised what he described as a lack of transparency in the Federal Government’s budget, saying Nigerians should have a clearer understanding of the projects being implemented and the actual performance of the budget.

Makinde questions use of rising oil revenue

The governor also addressed the impact of international crude oil prices on Nigeria’s revenue and the welfare of citizens.

Drawing on his experience in the oil and gas industry and participation in federal revenue allocation meetings, Makinde said higher crude oil prices increased the amount available for distribution through the Federation Account.

He argued, however, that the government must explain how additional revenue from rising oil prices would benefit the majority of Nigerians.

“How will this additional revenue be used to benefit the majority of Nigerians? What value does every Nigerian derive from the increase in oil prices, particularly considering that we are not yet a sufficiently productive country?” he asked.

Makinde also discussed petroleum subsidy and government interventions, including the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative.

He said some interventions could provide short-term relief but insisted that Nigeria needed a long-term strategy to create and distribute economic value.

The governor said his personal experience of leaving Ibadan in 1990 in search of employment and building a career and business had shaped his views on value creation and opportunity.

He maintained that Nigerians should benefit from the country’s resources and economic activities, rather than continue to struggle with the cost of basic necessities.

Makinde said the APM’s proposed Reset Agenda would seek to strengthen institutions, expand opportunities and ensure that government policies produced verifiable improvements in people’s lives.

He also argued that national development plans should remain consistent regardless of which political party was in power.

“Political parties will come and go, but our national development plans and the things we must do for our people must remain constant,” he said.