The Director-General of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation, Felix Hyat, has advised Nigerians, particularly young people in the North, against voting for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. He described Tinubu as a "wrong product from the South-west" that should be replaced with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate, Seyi Makinde, also from the region. This statement was made during the inauguration of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation in Abuja.
Hyat criticised northern youths for repeatedly supporting politicians seeking the presidency while younger aspirants remain sidelined. He argued that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to contest for political office, but young people in the North should question whether repeatedly supporting older politicians serves their interests. Hyat emphasised that talented, agile, and active young people in the North should not allow older politicians to dominate the political space.
Hyat suggested that since Tinubu, from the South-west, is already serving the first four years of his administration, the North should allow a southerner to complete what he described as an eight-year southern tenure. He stated that the North has a moral responsibility to support this and ensure Nigeria remains one indivisible country. This appeal is part of the APM's strategy to garner support from various regions.
Hyat also challenged the South-east, which he said was seeking four years in the presidency, to consider the aspirations of younger politicians from the region. He argued that the APC administration had failed Nigerians despite producing a president from the South-west. According to Hyat, the solution is not to reject the region but to replace Tinubu with another candidate from the same region, Seyi Makinde.
Hyat described Makinde and the APM vice presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, as tested politicians capable of addressing Nigeria's insecurity and other challenges. He emphasised that the campaign is not merely a political exercise but a responsibility to future generations. Hyat urged young Nigerians not to allow religion, ethnicity, or regional sentiments to determine their political choices.
Lawal Daura, the APM vice presidential candidate, stated that the campaign would target at least two-thirds of the more than 103 million registered voters ahead of the 2027 election. He described this target as a "herculean task" but said the campaign would rely on canvassing and presenting its candidates and programmes to voters rather than electoral malpractice. Daura warned politicians planning to manipulate the election that they would face consequences.
The Makinde-Daura campaign team has been inaugurated, with various members appointed to key positions. Inna Ciroma, a former minister of Women Affairs, was appointed deputy director-general, Administration, while Anthony Aziegbemi was appointed deputy director-general, Operations. The team aims to work with the party's National Leader and other party leaders to coordinate its national campaign and deliver victory for the party.
Key points
- The APM is targeting 68.7 million votes in the 2027 election.
