Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has defended his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election against President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the South-West region should not be prevented from producing more than one presidential candidate.
Makinde, who is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), made the remarks on Thursday during the party’s South-West presidential town hall meeting at the Olusegun Mimiko International Event Centre in Akure, Ondo State.
The governor said some Nigerians had questioned his decision to challenge Tinubu because both politicians come from the South-West geopolitical zone, which currently holds the presidency.
Responding to the criticism, Makinde argued that geographical origin should not determine who is entitled to contest for the country’s highest political office. He maintained that Nigerians should be allowed to choose their leaders based on competence, capacity and the ability to deliver good governance.
He cited the 1999 presidential election, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Olu Falae, both from the South-West, contested against each other. According to Makinde, the contest demonstrated that multiple candidates from the same region could participate in a presidential election without creating a political crisis.
The governor said his ambition was driven by the desire to provide Nigerians with an alternative leadership capable of addressing the country’s economic difficulties, insecurity and developmental challenges.
Makinde also urged residents of the South-West to reject what he described as entitlement-based politics, arguing that leadership should be determined by the ability to serve rather than assumptions that a region must automatically support a candidate from its own ranks.
Presenting his campaign’s “Reset Nigeria” agenda, he identified education, economic development, national security and socio-political empowerment as key areas requiring attention.
He argued that improving education and developing citizens’ skills would strengthen productivity, while a more secure environment would enable businesses to operate for longer hours and create greater economic opportunities.
The governor also advocated a tax system that prioritises economic growth and the expansion of prosperity rather than placing additional pressure on Nigerians already struggling with rising living costs.
Makinde’s presidential bid places him in direct competition with Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election. His decision to challenge the incumbent has generated political debate over regional loyalty, opposition strategy and the prospect of multiple candidates from the South-West contesting for the presidency.
The governor, however, maintains that the election should be about the quality of leadership and the future of the country rather than regional considerations.
He urged supporters to take his campaign message to communities across Nigeria and encouraged eligible citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate in the electoral process.
Makinde said his objective was to offer Nigerians an alternative political direction through his proposed Reset Nigeria agenda, insisting that voters should ultimately decide who is best suited to lead the country.
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