The presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, unveiled his much awaited blueprint with special focuses on macroeconomic reforms, national development and poverty reduction.
Makinde who said his Reset Nigeria Agenda focuses on reducing the cost of living, stated that there are four fundamental issues driving his decision to seek to be Nigeria’s president in 2027.
“I did not just wake up one day and suddenly decide to become president of Nigeria,” the Oyo State governor declared.
He added however, that the manifesto was the outcome of extensive consultations from the town hall meetings he held across all the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“I did not come up with these ideas on our own.
“We asked them: What would you like to see? What kind of Nigeria are you thinking about?
“The outcome of those consultations informed our agenda,” he added.
According to him, the passion with which the questions were asked and the expectations they carried, made him realise the weight of the responsibility before him, and pledged take the responsibility of the presidency seriously so as not disappoint Nigeria.
The presidential candidate likened nation building to a relay race, stating that Nigeria’s founding fathers started this journey, but “Somewhere along the line… we dropped the baton.”
He promised to begin the rebuilding process the founding fathers envisioned.
“We want a Nigeria that works for every Nigerian, irrespective of the part of the country they come from, their religious background or their ethnic identity.
“Our founding fathers understood that we had differences and rivalries in this country. That was why they organised constitutional conferences and engaged in discussions about the future of Nigeria.
“I believe our founding fathers were undoubtedly among the best this country had to offer at that time,” he said.
Makinde recalled the era when the best graduating students from the universities went into the public service, but regretted that the reverse is now the case, as the best graduates prefer to work in the private sector because of the financial opportunities available there.
“You cannot blame them for that because it is a simple proposition,” he added.
The candidate argued that concrete promises alone were not enough, but instead, must be linked to a responsible institution, a delivery plan and measurable results that citizens could verify.
He stated that macroeconomic reforms should not be to the detriment of broad-based economic growth, but should translate into improvements in people’s lives.
“Macroeconomic stability must have a direct impact on the people through job creation, improved incomes and a lower cost of living. These are issues we cannot shy away from,” he said, adding that government must take responsibility for the results or the lack of them.
Makinde criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government for lack of transparency in budget implementation, and called on Nigerians to hold the Federal Government accountable for its promises.
“This administration made several promises. We all remember when they said that if they failed to fix electricity, Nigerians should not vote for them again.
“For God’s sake, Nigerians must hold them accountable to that statement because they have not provided reliable electricity,” he added.
