Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Seyi Makinde, has criticised the economic policies introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying the simultaneous removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira placed heavy pressure on Nigerians without enough measures to reduce the impact.
Makinde, who was represented by APM national leader Babatunde Tijani at the party’s campaign event in Abeokuta, said the combination of both policies made the cost of living worse across the country. He argued that introducing the two reforms at the same time created economic difficulties that affected ordinary citizens.
During the event, the party presented Deborah Abosede Akinlade as its deputy governorship candidate for Ogun State alongside its House of Assembly and National Assembly candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Makinde questioned the current economic situation, pointing to rising fuel prices, unstable exchange rates and the growing hardship facing many households. He said many Nigerians now struggle to meet their daily needs and called for policies that place greater attention on the welfare of citizens.
He also expressed concern over the country’s security situation, saying many people no longer feel as safe as they once did. According to him, the APM wants to offer an alternative that will improve both the economy and security.
The governor urged party members across Ogun State to begin grassroots mobilisation and work together to strengthen the party ahead of the next general elections. He said the goal is to convince voters that the APM has the capacity to provide better leadership and improve living conditions.
Makinde also pointed to development projects carried out by his administration in Oyo State, saying they showed that the party has practical ideas that can be applied on a larger scale if given the opportunity to govern at the national level.
Also speaking at the event, Ogun State APM Chairman and Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Abayomi Sanyaolu, gave the current Federal Government a low performance rating. He urged Nigerians to reject vote buying, collect their Permanent Voter Cards and participate in the electoral process.
Sanyaolu said accepting money in exchange for votes would only encourage poor leadership. He expressed confidence that the APM could regain political strength in Ogun State and provide a better future for the country.
The party’s governorship candidate in Ogun State, Rotimi Babajide, also appealed to residents to support the APM. He promised that, if elected, his administration would focus on agriculture, job creation, education, healthcare, road construction and other programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.