The presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has called for stronger collaboration among opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying a credible opposition is essential to the survival of democracy.

Makinde, who is also the Governor of Oyo State, made the call on Thursday at the APM national convention held at the Dr Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu Square, Government House, Bauchi.

He urged the newly elected leadership of the party to engage other opposition parties and build a coalition capable of offering Nigerians a credible alternative in the 2027 elections.

“As I said, the presence of a credible opposition is what sustains democracy. So, our new leaders must be ready to work with other opposition parties to ensure that we give Nigeria an incredible alternative in the 2027 general election,” Makinde said.

The governor said the next general election should go beyond political slogans, campaign promises and government announcements, stressing that candidates and parties must be judged by measurable results.

Makinde said Nigerians experience economic policies through their purchasing power and the ability of families to meet their basic needs.

“When our mothers go to the market, they experience economic policy as a statistic. They experience it in what their money can buy: how much rice, how much beans, and how much they can take home,” he said.

He added that job creation should not be measured by government announcements but by the ability of citizens to secure productive employment.

Makinde also urged Nigerians to assess governments based on productivity, access to markets, improved family welfare and security rather than the number of programmes launched or meetings held.

“Security is not the number of security meetings in Government House. It is whether people come home and sleep with their two eyes closed,” he said.

According to him, the 2027 election should be a contest of ideas and evidence, with candidates clearly stating what they intend to do differently and the measurable impact Nigerians should expect.

“The 2027 election should not simply be about what government has done. It should be about what has changed for Nigerians,” Makinde said.

He said Nigeria needed an economy capable of lifting millions of citizens out of poverty, creating productive jobs for young people, improving education and strengthening national security.

The governor also advocated a stronger federal structure in which more decisions and resources are devolved closer to the people, alongside greater accountability.

“We need a federation in which more decisions and resources are brought closer to the people, accompanied by greater accountability for results,” he said.

Makinde further called for a political culture that would rebuild trust between leaders and citizens, arguing that political disagreements should not turn opponents into enemies.

“We want a politics where disagreement does not make us enemies; a politics where opposition is not merely about removing those in power, but about presenting a credible and demonstrating a better alternative,” he said.

He said the ultimate objective ahead of 2027 should be to give Nigerians a genuine choice about the direction of the country.

“The task before all of us is bigger than winning an election. It is to give Nigerians a real choice about the future of their country.

“Let the coming campaign be a contest of ideas. Let us debate the evidence. Let us compare records. Let everyone seeking to lead Nigerians answer one simple question: How will the lives of Nigerians be better because we were allowed to lead?” he said.

At the convention, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who was inaugurated as the national leader of the APM, expressed confidence in the Makinde-Lawal Daura presidential ticket.

Mohammed described Makinde as the best presidential candidate for Nigeria and said the party would provide inclusive leadership if elected.

He acknowledged the responsibility that came with his new position as national leader, promising that the party’s leadership would not disappoint its members and supporters.

“The recognition you have given us is going to give us a lot of challenges. It is for us to do more for you. By the grace of God, we will not disappoint you,” Mohammed said.

He said Makinde’s background as an engineer would be an advantage in tackling Nigeria’s development challenges, while the party’s administrators would support his leadership.

“We are putting square pegs in square holes. Our presidential candidate is an engineer by profession. He knows how to manufacture, develop and draw a plan, and we as administrators are behind him,” he said.

Mohammed also pledged that the APM would accommodate Nigerians from different backgrounds and pursue inclusive governance.

The re-elected National Chairman of the party, Yusuf Dantalle, described the APM as a formidable political platform capable of leading Nigeria towards prosperity.

Dantalle said Nigeria possessed the resources and potential to become a prosperous nation but had been constrained by leadership challenges.

He called on Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones and ethnic, religious and cultural divides to support the APM’s vision of building a stronger, more prosperous and united country.

“We have everything we need. Nigerians are not supposed to be slaves in their own country. God has given this country the greatness that we require,” he said.

Dantalle said the party was determined to build a formidable national movement capable of producing leaders Nigerians could trust.

He urged party members and supporters to take the APM’s message of hope, unity, development and democratic renewal to every local government, state and community.

“Let us take our message of hope, unity, development and democratic renewal to everyone, every local government, state and community,” he said.

He described the mobilisation strategy as “Operation Talk to Somebody, Talk to Somebody, Talk to Somebody,” urging members to continue spreading the party’s message until Nigerians recognised the APM as a credible political alternative.

Dantalle expressed confidence in the party’s prospects in the 2027 elections, saying its unity of purpose, clear vision and commitment to Nigerians would position it for victory.