Tinubu Is Building Political Power, Not National Unity – Makinde

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has accused President Bola Tinubu of prioritising political power over national unity, explaining why he is challenging him in the 2027 presidential election.

Makinde said his decision to contest against Tinubu was not driven by personal disagreements or an ambition to occupy the presidency but by concerns about the direction of the country.

In a statement published on his RESET Nigeria website on Thursday, the governor recalled that he supported Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election because he believed the president would build a government of national unity and competence.

However, he said his assessment of the administration had changed, noting that he no longer believed it was taking the country in that direction.

Makinde identified four major areas of concern, including economic stability without corresponding economic development, governance by excuses, the pursuit of political power at the expense of national unity, and economic reforms without adequate protection for Nigerians.

On the economy, he acknowledged improvements in some macroeconomic indicators but argued that such gains would mean little without increased business productivity, job creation, better incomes and improved living conditions.

He also criticised the administration for what he described as its continued reliance on inherited challenges to explain persistent problems such as poverty, insecurity and electricity supply.

The governor further expressed concern that Tinubu’s political alliances were serving his political objectives more than the national interest, warning that the weakening of opposition parties posed a threat to democratic governance.

On economic reforms, Makinde said although he supported the need to reform the petrol subsidy and foreign exchange systems, the policies should have been accompanied by adequate measures to protect Nigerians from their adverse effects.

The APM presidential candidate also said the Tinubu administration could have used the presidential transition period to prepare for subsidy removal and develop interventions to cushion its impact.

He recalled that Tinubu had previously opposed the abrupt removal of petrol subsidy by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2012 and had witnessed the hardship associated with petrol and naira scarcity ahead of the 2023 elections.

Makinde maintained that four years in office should be sufficient for a government to demonstrate measurable results, urging Nigerians to demand clear commitments, timelines and accountability from those seeking their mandate.

He said his presidential ambition was anchored on the Reset Nigeria Agenda, expressing confidence that a different approach to governance could deliver better outcomes for the country.