ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY SEYI MAKINDE AS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR THE ALLIED PEOPLES’ MOVEMENT ON SATURDAY, 30 MAY 2027
I stand before you today with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility as I accept the nomination to serve as the Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This should have been a moment for celebration as it marks my first step in seeking a mandate that will lead to the activation and actualisation of the Nigerian Dream. But the recent security situation here in Oyo State, has turned this into a moment for deep introspection and reflection.
Our nation is hurting. Millions of Nigerians are weighed down by hunger, insecurity, rising transportation costs, and uncertainty about tomorrow. Across the country, people are asking the same question: when will leadership truly begin to work for the ordinary citizen? When will we fulfil the Nigerian Dream.
We cannot continue recycling the same leadership approaches while expecting different results. A new direction must emerge; one built on competence, courage, accountability and compassion for the people.
Today, even as I stand here, some innocent schoolchildren and citizens abducted by terrorists are still in captivity. As Governor of Oyo State, I carry the painful burden of being called Chief Security Officer, yet lacking constitutional control over the security agencies needed to fully confront these threats. No Governor should be placed in a situation where responsibility is placed on his shoulders, but the necessary authority is withheld.
As President of Nigeria, I will work to reform our national security architecture so that States are no longer left helpless in moments of crisis. The decentralisation that we need for a more effective security will be prioritised. The safety of Nigerians will not be treated as a political talking point. It will be a national duty.
I believe we have the capacity to rebuild our economy with honesty and practical reforms.
Nigerians must benefit from being an oil producing country just like other oil producing countries in the world. In order for this to happen, we will pursue fair, transparent and right pricing templates for petroleum products that reflect the realities of the cost of production. Nigerians must be protected from arbitrary pricing and not have to bear the cost of the government’s failure to secure our borders.
I dare dream that the NNPC will be reformed and become lean, efficient, and commercially driven through proper joint venture incorporation and institutional reforms.
I dare dream that we will reset Nigeria and take the difficult but necessary decision to restructure the ownership of our refineries so Nigeria can finally stop bleeding resources into systems that no longer serve the people effectively.
And because the struggle of transportation affects workers, students, traders, and families every single day, we will expand practical transportation support systems using models that have already shown promise at the State level, including what we have implemented in Oyo State.
Last but not least, we will address the issue of food security to ensure that in the midst of abundant resources, Nigerians do not keep going to bed hungry. We will start with collating accurate data about our capacity in the agriculture sector so that we can address the gaps in production, processing agrologistics and storage.
My fellow Nigerians, this journey is not about one man’s dream. It is about rebuilding belief in Nigeria again. It is about the Nigerian Dream.
I do not stand here promising miracles. I stand here promising leadership that listens, leadership that acts, and leadership that understands that governance must improve the lives of ordinary people.
This campaign will be about solutions, competence and the future.
Together, we can build a Nigeria where security is not a privilege, where opportunity is not reserved for a few, and where leadership finally serves the people.
May God bless our dreams.
God bless the Allied Peoples’ Movement.
God bless Oyo State.
And God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
