Makinde urges Nigerians to send ruling party back to Lagos at Plateau rally

Seyi Makinde, the presidential candidate for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has called on Nigerians to remove the current ruling party from power, describing them as oppressors who should be sent back to Lagos. Makinde made this statement while addressing supporters at an APM campaign rally held in Jos, the capital of Plateau State. The former Oyo State governor urged the crowd to elect a new team that would implement a reset for the country, arguing that the existing administration has failed to deliver a nation that works for ordinary citizens.

During the rally, Makinde accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of building a country that benefits only those in power. He challenged the ruling government to explain its achievements over the past three years, asserting that it has not delivered a functional state for the general populace. Makinde specifically alleged that the ruling party has appropriated ideas from the APM, noting that he had predicted in Abuja that opponents would begin stealing their concepts after the unveiling of the APM’s RESET Agenda. He pointed out that the ruling party’s current slogan, “Reform to Prosperity,” and their goal of a Nigeria that works for everybody, mirror the APM’s earlier proposals.

Background

The APM’s campaign centres on the RESET Agenda, which identifies security as a fundamental pillar for national development. Makinde highlighted the security situation in Plateau State as a critical issue, noting that insecurity has hindered the region’s potential. He observed that the pleasant evening weather in Jos creates an ideal environment for tourism, provided that security is improved. Makinde argued that attracting tourists to Plateau would expand the local economy and create jobs for the state’s young population.

Other APM leaders also addressed the crowd. Lawal Daura, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, appealed to Plateau residents to support the APM, lamenting that insecurity had damaged the state’s reputation as a peaceful tourism destination. Daura recalled visiting the state multiple times in previous years and expressed the party’s determination to restore its appeal. APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle also spoke, criticising the Federal Government’s handling of the fuel subsidy removal and questioning whether the policy had delivered the promised improvements.

Why it matters

The statements made in Jos highlight the intensifying political rivalry ahead of the 2027 elections. Makinde’s accusations aim to frame the current administration as self-serving and intellectually dishonest, directly challenging the ruling party’s narrative of reform. For voters in Plateau State and across Nigeria, the campaign emphasises the link between security, economic growth, and job creation. The APM is positioning its RESET Agenda as the alternative to what it describes as a government that serves only a privileged few. The rally underscores the importance of grassroots mobilisation, with Makinde urging supporters to take the party’s message to polling units, asserting that elections are won at that level.

What happens next

The APM will continue its presidential campaign across Nigeria, focusing on spreading the RESET message to polling units. The party intends to press its narrative that the ruling government has failed to deliver on its promises over the last three years. As the 2027 elections approach, the APM plans to leverage issues of security and economic reform to attract voters, particularly in regions like Plateau State where these concerns are prominent.