By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi
The presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has warned against any attempt to suppress the will of Nigerians in the 2027 general elections.
Makinde gave the warning on Friday during a visit to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, alongside APM National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, and other members of the party’s national leadership.
The meeting, held behind closed doors, focused on security, governance and political developments ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Makinde described Nigeria’s current political environment as “toxic,” but expressed optimism that the country was approaching a new dawn.
“Being in opposition, the political environment is very toxic. It is one of the darkest moments, but when the day is about to break, that is the darkest point,” he said.
He assured Nigerians that despite the prevailing challenges, positive change was possible.
On the APM’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, Makinde recalled his victory in the 2019 Oyo State governorship election despite being in opposition to the ruling party at both the federal and state levels.
“Same thing is going to happen this time around. They must not suppress the will of the people. We will not allow electoral malpractice; the outcome must reflect the voice of Nigerians,” he said.
According to him, the APM’s confidence rests on the Nigerian electorate, stressing that the people would speak “loudly and clearly” when the time comes.
Addressing security challenges in Oyo State, Makinde said the recent abduction of schoolchildren was an unusual development in the state, adding that his administration was cooperating with federal authorities to address the situation.
He argued that state governors, despite being regarded as chief security officers of their states, lack direct control over federal security agencies operating within their jurisdictions.
Makinde said commissioners of police, Department of State Services officials and military commanders take directives from their respective federal authorities rather than state governors.
“We need to look at our security architecture and ensure that where responsibility is given, authority is also provided to deal with those responsibilities,” he said.
He pledged that an APM-led Federal Government would ensure that responsibility and authority went together in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
On his choice of a running mate, Makinde said consultations were still ongoing and urged Nigerians to wait until the nomination process was formally concluded through the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Explaining the purpose of his visit, Makinde said he came to consult Governor Muhammad on security, governance and the future of the APM.
He said the discussions provided useful insights into measures that could be adopted in Oyo State, particularly in addressing security challenges.
“We discussed issues surrounding our party and the future of democracy in Nigeria,” Makinde added.
He also praised APM National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, describing him as a vibrant and energetic leader who had continued to strengthen the party.
In his remarks, Dantalle said the APM was prepared for the political contest ahead, expressing confidence that Nigerians were demanding meaningful change.
“APM is not coming to do the usual. What APM is coming with is to reset Nigeria, reboot Nigeria and start solving the problems of Nigeria from the grassroots,” he said.
Dantalle called on Nigerians to take responsibility for the country’s future through legitimate and democratic means.
Also speaking, Governor Bala Muhammad said his relationship with Makinde was built on collaboration and the exchange of ideas on governance.
He said both leaders discussed security challenges and explored ways of addressing them collectively.
Muhammad also described the APM as an emerging major opposition platform that was repositioning itself to provide constructive opposition.
“Most importantly, we discussed the future of our party, the APM, which is steadily growing into the next major opposition party in the country,” he said.
He added that Makinde, as the party’s presidential candidate, was working to ensure that the APM’s campaigns were issue-based, devoid of malice and driven by sound ideas and competent leadership.
