BY AHMED AKANBI
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has explained why he withdrew his support for President Bola Tinubu and decided to challenge him in the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde, who backed Tinubu in 2023, said his decision was not driven by personal disagreement or ambition to occupy Aso Rock, but by concerns about Nigeria’s future and the welfare of its citizens.
The governor, who is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), gave the reasons in his newsletter on Thursday.
Makinde said he supported Tinubu in 2023 because he believed the President’s political experience and relationships would help him unite Nigerians and form a government based on competence.
But those expectations, he said, have not been met, citing economic hardship, insecurity, poor electricity supply and what he described as the administration’s failure to take responsibility for the country’s challenges.
His first concern was economic stability without economic development, arguing that improvements in some economic indicators have not translated into better living conditions for ordinary Nigerians, who should not have to endure prolonged hardship while waiting for development.
His second concern was governing by excuses, saying every government inherits challenges but must address them, arguing that more than three years into the Tinubu administration, Nigerians are still hearing explanations about inherited poverty, insecurity and electricity problems instead of seeing measurable improvements.
Third, he raised concerns about national unity, saying he had expected Tinubu to use his political experience to bring capable Nigerians together for national development.
Instead, he said, the President’s political alliances appear to serve his political interests more than the national interest. He also warned about the weakening of opposition parties, which he described as vital to the survival of democracy.
His fourth concern was economic reforms without adequate protection for Nigerians. Although he supported the removal of petrol subsidy and reforms in the foreign exchange market, he faulted the government for failing to put sufficient measures in place to cushion the hardship that followed.
Explaining what he would have done differently, Makinde said the Federal Government should have used the presidential transition period to prepare palliatives.
He said the National Economic Council could have been convened to work out a coordinated response with state governors, including funding arrangements and the responsibilities of the federal, state and local governments.
He cited Oyo State’s response, saying his administration consulted organised labour and within 11 days of subsidy removal introduced additional Omituntun buses, maintained existing transport fares and provided half-price travel for students and senior citizens.