From Abdulwahab Muhammad SSA Communication
By Alphapressmedia
Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has declared that the party is positioning itself as a credible alternative for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that the electorate will ultimately determine the country’s political future through the ballot.
Makinde made the declaration on Thursday while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with Bauchi State Governor and National Leader of the APM, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Bauchi.
The Oyo State Governor was accompanied by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle.
The meeting, which lasted over two hours, focused on security, governance, intergovernmental collaboration, democratic development and the future of the Allied Peoples Movement.
Explaining the purpose of the visit, Makinde described Governor Bala Mohammed as a trusted colleague and partner in governance, noting that consultation between them was both strategic and necessary, being the only two serving governors elected on the platform of the APM.
“Consulting with my brother is a no-brainer because if I have challenges, before I run to anybody, I’ll run to somebody that I know is of the same stock as myself,” Makinde said.
He disclosed that security dominated their discussions, saying Bauchi’s approach to addressing security challenges offered valuable lessons that could be adapted in Oyo State.
“I wanted to run a few things by him, and it’s no regret that I came here because I’m fully briefed and I’m taking back with me ideas that we may want to also try out in our state,” he stated.
Makinde said the meeting also reviewed the progress of the APM and the state of Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that the party was determined to provide Nigerians with a credible and issue-based alternative.
According to him, the APM is committed to constructive opposition anchored on policies, good governance and democratic values rather than political hostility.
Responding to questions from journalists, the presidential candidate expressed confidence in the party’s prospects despite the current political landscape.
Recalling his victory in the 2019 Oyo State governorship election as an opposition candidate, despite the dominance of the ruling party at all levels of government, Makinde insisted that the will of Nigerians could not be suppressed.
He maintained that democracy would prevail and that Nigerians would freely decide their leaders through the ballot box.
Describing the nation’s political atmosphere as “toxic,” he nevertheless expressed optimism that Nigeria was approaching a new political chapter.
On insecurity, Makinde advocated comprehensive constitutional reforms to align responsibility with authority, arguing that state governors are often held accountable for security without possessing sufficient constitutional powers to respond effectively.
He pledged that an APM-led Federal Government would reform Nigeria’s security architecture to ensure that those entrusted with responsibility also possess the authority required to safeguard lives and property.
Speaking earlier, Governor Bala Mohammed described the visit as a continuation of the long-standing tradition of collaboration and peer review among governors aimed at strengthening governance across the country.
“Governance is a continuous collaboration and interaction with our colleagues at the sub-national, even at the national level, to look at challenges and borrow ideas from each other,” Bala Mohammed said.
The Bauchi governor disclosed that both leaders extensively reviewed the security challenges confronting their respective states and exchanged ideas on practical measures to improve public safety.
He also commended Governor Makinde’s achievements in infrastructure development and public service delivery, describing him as a visionary leader whose administration has transformed Oyo State.
“When you go to Oyo, you will not know that it is the same city. It is now a new city with big roads, with an airport and what have you,” he remarked.
Governor Bala Mohammed further praised the leadership of the APM National Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, for providing vibrant leadership and expanding the party’s national profile.
He expressed confidence that the APM was steadily emerging as Nigeria’s foremost opposition platform, driven by competent leadership, national unity and practical solutions to the country’s challenges.
“The APM is growing as the next opposition party that is ready and repositioning itself to give constructive opposition in the country,” he declared.
He emphasized that the party would distinguish itself through mature leadership, issue-based campaigns and policies capable of addressing Nigeria’s political, economic and security concerns.
“We have the knowledge and the human capital to deliver if given the opportunity.”
The meeting concluded with both governors reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation among APM-controlled states, strengthening democratic institutions and repositioning the party as a credible national platform capable of providing effective leadership and sustainable solutions for Nigeria.
