APM presidential candidate tells supporters not to surrender their voting rights for campaign handouts as he promises economic and security reforms under his ‘Reset Nigeria’ agenda.
Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has told supporters to accept money distributed by politicians during campaigns but vote according to their conscience, warning against allowing financial inducements to determine their political choices.
Makinde delivered the message on Saturday at his presidential campaign rally in Bauchi State, where he maintained that receiving campaign handouts should not translate into an obligation to support the politician offering them.
“Don’t bother at all. When they bring money, it is your money, collect it, but vote your heart and I know your heart is with us and APM,” he told the gathering.
The statement places the issue of campaign inducements at the centre of Makinde’s mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election. It also raises an important question about the influence of money on electoral decisions, particularly among voters facing economic difficulties.
Campaign handouts have featured prominently in Nigeria’s political environment, often creating tension between voters’ immediate financial needs and their right to make independent electoral choices.
Makinde also used the Bauchi gathering to present his proposed national leadership direction, which he described as the Reset Nigeria agenda. He pledged to overhaul the economy, strengthen the country’s security architecture and reform the socio-political environment if elected President in 2027.
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He criticised what he considered inadequate inclusion in governance and accused political leaders of failing to communicate honestly with Nigerians.
“If you are not happy with the way things are in our country today, if you are not happy that there is no enough inclusivity, if you are not happy that your government cannot tell you the truth, they cannot handle our issues with sincerity, then there is only one part for us and the part is to reset Nigeria. So, I am asking you today to be a resetter,” he said.
The proposed agenda, unveiled on November 4, identifies four major areas for intervention: the economy, security, education and Nigeria’s socio-political system.
On the economy, Makinde’s proposal focuses on reducing the structural costs of living, improving infrastructure and creating conditions for businesses and industries to grow.
His security proposals include stronger intelligence gathering, improved coordination among security agencies and greater accountability in the handling of security incidents.
In education, he promises better learning outcomes, improved access and skills development, while his governance proposals include stronger institutions and greater devolution of powers to states.
Also speaking at the rally, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, warned that dishonesty, deception and hypocrisy in politics were threatening the country’s democratic development.
He presented the APM’s proposed national reset as a response to these challenges, maintaining that elected officials must demonstrate honesty and sincerity in public service.
Bauchi State Governor and APM national leader, Bala Mohammed, also declared his support for Makinde’s presidential ambition. He cited the Oyo governor’s work ethic and commitment to inclusive leadership as reasons for backing his candidacy.
The rally attracted party supporters dressed in APM colours, alongside members of the party’s leadership, including its national chairman.
Makinde’s message on campaign money adds another dimension to the party’s election mobilisation.
While his appeal centres on voters retaining control of their choices, his proposed national reset will also face scrutiny over the specific policies, funding arrangements and implementation targets that would turn its promises into measurable results.
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