Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has commenced his presidential campaign with a North-West zonal town hall meeting in Katsina State. The meeting aims to engage citizens, political stakeholders, and other groups as part of his nationwide consultations. Makinde's campaign, built around his "Reset Nigeria" message, focuses on national stability, citizen welfare, and accountability in governance. The town hall meeting is the first in a series of engagements planned across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones.
The Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation announced that the North-West town hall meeting would hold in Katsina on September 22. The campaign's goal is to provide an opportunity for citizens and stakeholders to discuss issues affecting the country while allowing Makinde and his running mate, Lawal Musa Daura, to present their plans. Tony Ehilebo, Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication to Makinde, stated that the campaign had commenced nationwide consultation and grassroots mobilisation. The Katsina meeting is the beginning of the zonal engagements, with subsequent meetings planned in Uyo, Lafia, and Enugu.
Makinde's arrival in Katsina comes amid increased political activity around his presidential bid, weeks after the APM formally presented him as its presidential candidate. He secured the APM presidential ticket at the party's national convention in August and picked Daura as his running mate. Daura, a former intelligence chief, joined the APM after leaving the African Democratic Congress. The Katsina engagement takes place against the backdrop of questions over the level of support for Makinde's presidential ambition in his home state.
Recently, the Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland and the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative rejected a purported endorsement of Makinde by some individuals claiming to represent Mogajis and community stakeholders in Ibadan. The groups described the endorsement as "a schematic drama and theatre," stating that they were not consulted or approached before the declaration. They urged Nigerians and Oyo State residents to disregard the video.
Despite the controversy, the APM campaign has received public backing from some political figures. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed described Makinde as a strong political figure and urged Nigerians not to dismiss the party's campaign. Mohammed stated that Makinde is one of the best human capitals Nigeria has produced at the sub-national and national level.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), also attended the inauguration of the APM's presidential campaign office in Abuja. Obi said Makinde meets the constitutional and political requirements to seek the presidency and called for a free and credible election. He emphasized that Nigerians should be allowed to decide who governs them, irrespective of political differences.
The APM campaign is expected to continue with town hall meetings in other zones, with engagements in the remaining zones to be announced later. Makinde's team says the consultations will focus on national stability, citizen welfare, accountability in governance, transparency in public resource management, and greater citizen participation. The campaign aims to provide a platform for citizens and stakeholders to engage with Makinde and his running mate.
Key points
- Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde starts presidential campaign with a town hall meeting in Katsina State.
- The campaign focuses on national stability, citizen welfare, and accountability in governance.
- Makinde's team plans to engage citizens and stakeholders across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones.
