Makinde: Why I’m running against a sitting president from the South West

Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has defended his decision to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election despite both politicians coming from the South-West.

According to The PUNCH, Makinde spoke on Thursday during his party’s South-West town hall meeting in Akure, Ondo State.

He argued that the region could produce multiple presidential candidates, citing the 1999 election involving Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae.

“And heaven did not fall. As a matter of fact, what the South-West did was to present two of their finest, two of their best for Nigeria to choose from. Is there anything wrong with that this time around?” he asked.

Makinde also criticised the Federal Government’s spending priorities and budget implementation.

He maintained that his campaign would emphasise leadership capacity and physical stamina rather than age.

The governor challenged other presidential candidates to demonstrate their energy and readiness to tackle Nigeria’s challenges.