The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has promised to establish a four-year transitional Government of National Unity if elected president in the 2027 general election.
Makinde, who is also the governor of Oyo State, said the proposed administration would promote inclusiveness, strengthen national unity and address concerns over political representation and the concentration of power.
He made the pledge on Saturday at the APM North-East 2027 Town Hall Meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, where he outlined his vision for addressing Nigeria’s political, economic and security challenges.
According to him, the government, which would take office on May 29, 2027, would be transitional and would not remain in power beyond four years.
“I stand before you today to tell you that the government you will put in place from May 29, 2027, will be a transitional Government of National Unity. Our government will not last beyond four years. And it will be an all-inclusive government,” he said.
The APM flagbearer explained that the arrangement was designed to foster national cohesion and respond to concerns, particularly in Northern Nigeria, about equitable political representation.
He also pledged to pursue solutions to insecurity, poverty and economic hardship through consultation, transparency and what he described as sincere leadership.
Makinde said the party had deliberately postponed the release of its manifesto to allow its presidential candidate to engage citizens and understand their concerns before finalising its policy proposals.
“Our manifesto is on the way. We have deliberately delayed its release because we wanted to hear from you at this level,” he said.
He further declared that the 2027 election should mark a departure from what he described as the politics of false promises and deception.
“2027 will mark the end of the politics of lies and deceit. It is a time when we will all come together to establish a reset agenda and tell Nigerians the whole truth,” he added.
The APM presidential candidate also called on the Federal Government to make its petroleum pricing template public, insisting that Nigerians deserve to understand how the prices of petroleum products are determined.
He argued that releasing the document would promote transparency and enable citizens with relevant expertise to contribute ideas towards addressing the country’s economic difficulties.
Makinde made the demand while criticising the administration’s handling of electricity supply, energy security and petroleum pricing.
He recalled President Bola Tinubu’s campaign promise to resolve Nigeria’s electricity challenges within four years, arguing that the administration had fallen short of its commitments.
“The current administration came in and told us that it had the magic wand to solve the challenges confronting us. As a matter of fact, the president said that if he failed to fix electricity for Nigeria in four years, Nigerians should not vote for him again.
“So, we are all aware that they have failed to provide electricity and other things they promised,” he said.
He also faulted the government’s policies on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), electric vehicles and the Naira-for-Crude initiative, describing them as unsuccessful.
The governor said his engagements across the North-West and North-Central regions had exposed widespread concerns about insecurity and poverty, while participants at the Yola meeting highlighted electricity supply and energy security as pressing issues.
He urged the Federal Government to explain the basis for its petroleum pricing decisions, particularly in light of reported comments by the Minister of Finance on the adoption of price modulation for petroleum products.
“We are asking for only two things. We do not want too much grammar; we just want relief for Nigerians. So, we ask the Federal Government to release its pricing template so that citizens will know how they arrived at the current petroleum price,” Makinde said.
He maintained that public officeholders should not be regarded as the only people capable of developing solutions to the nation’s challenges.
“The fact that you are in government or the Presidential Villa does not make you the only Nigerians with sense. We have other citizens who can dissect issues and proffer solutions,” he added.
Makinde said his proposed administration would prioritise citizens’ welfare and rights while seeking practical solutions to the country’s difficulties.
The National Leader of the APM and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, expressed support for Makinde’s presidential ambition, describing the party as a credible political platform with elected officials and members experienced in governance.
Mohammed welcomed Makinde to the North-East and expressed confidence in the party’s ability to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s political development.
He said the APM was committed to national unity, mutual respect and providing opportunities for Nigerians from different backgrounds.
“We believe in Nigeria. We believe in the Nigerian state. We are patriots. We believe in giving people opportunities from all sections of the country,” he said.
The Bauchi governor also endorsed Makinde’s proposed agenda to reset the country.
Similarly, the APM vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, said the party would campaign on the principles of honesty, patriotism and a commitment to resolving Nigeria’s longstanding challenges.
Daura said the party would unveil the details of its proposals when its national campaign commenced.
He acknowledged that achieving the proposed national reset would require committed Nigerians willing to serve the country.
“It is not an easy task, and it will only require very serious-minded Nigerians to be in APM. But we are determined to reset Nigeria for the good of all,” he said.
