The Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation has announced the commencement of zonal stakeholders' meetings, starting in Katsina. The meetings aim to engage broad-based citizens and stakeholders in the campaign of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and his running mate, Alh. Lawal Daura. The campaign's Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Tony Ehilebo, addressed a press conference to herald the meetings. Ehilebo stated that the meetings will facilitate nationwide consultation and grassroots mobilisation.
The zonal town hall meetings are scheduled to hold in the six geo-political zones across the country. The North West zone will convene in Katsina, the Katsina State Capital, on September 22, 2026. The meetings will continue with the South South Zonal Town hall meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on September 25, 2026. The North Central zone will meet in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on September 28, 2026.
The Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation will also hold town hall meetings in the South East and other zones. The South East Zonal Town hall meeting is scheduled for Enugu, Enugu State, on September 30, 2026. These meetings aim to ensure the victory of Makinde and Daura in the presidential election. The APM candidate and his running mate are contesting on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement.
Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde and the APM have dragged the Abia State Government, Governor Alex Otti, and two others to court over an alleged unlawful imposition of a N200 million mandatory campaign fee. The plaintiffs faulted the fee, citing violations of the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and other relevant laws. They argued that if every state imposed such a huge fee, it would be impossible for any presidential candidate to abide by the campaign funding limit.
The suit, marked HC/214/2026, was filed before the High Court of Abia State. The plaintiffs, represented by their lawyer Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, presented six questions for the court to determine. They prayed the court to issue an order setting aside the regulations made by the Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ASAA) in respect of political campaigns.
The N200 million campaign fee imposition has sparked controversy, with many questioning its legality. The plaintiffs argued that the fee is excessive and would hinder the ability of presidential candidates to campaign effectively. The court's decision on the matter is awaited.
The zonal town hall meetings will provide a platform for citizens and stakeholders to engage with the Makinde/Daura campaign. The meetings are part of the campaign's efforts to ensure a broad-based citizen and stakeholder engagement across the country. The outcome of the meetings and the court's decision on the campaign fee will likely impact the presidential election.
Key points
- The Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation starts zonal town hall meetings across Nigeria's six geo-political zones.
- The meetings aim to facilitate nationwide consultation and grassroots mobilisation for the APM presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde.
- The campaign has also dragged the Abia State Government to court over an alleged unlawful imposition of a N200 million mandatory campaign fee.
