NIGERIA: Makinde Campaign Sets 68m-Vote Target As APM Kicks Off 2027 Drive

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The Allied People’s Movement has set a target of at least 68 million votes for its presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, in the 2027 presidential election as the party inaugurated its National Campaign Management Committee in Abuja.

Makinde, represented by his running mate and former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura, said the campaign would pursue victory within the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, the national voters’ register now contains more than 103 million registered voters following the completion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and biometric clean-up.

Makinde said: “By INEC’s record, 103 million have registered for the election. We are aiming to get not less than two-thirds of the votes of the 103 million registered voters.”

He added that the campaign would comply with the Electoral Act, warning those planning to disrupt the election that the campaign was prepared for such challenges.

Makinde said the campaign was anchored on a “Resetting Nigeria” agenda, which he described as the solution to the country’s challenges and shortcomings.

Daura, speaking on behalf of Makinde at the committee’s inauguration on Tuesday evening, expressed confidence in the team assembled for the campaign.

He said: “I can assure you that we have a winning team. We have men and women of integrity who know nothing other than success.”

Daura added that the composition of the committee demonstrated the seriousness of the campaign and pledged that its activities would be free of lies, deceit and treachery.

APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, charged members of the committee with securing victory for Makinde and Daura, urging them to work together despite their differences and backgrounds.

Dantalle said: “The project here is how we can deliver Makinde and Lawal Daura in 2027. It is not an easy task as we are bound to disagree with one another. Our ability to manage our differences will prove to Nigerians that if they can manage themselves, then they can manage Nigeria.”

The Director-General of the National Campaign Management Committee, Felix Hyat, said his appointment was a responsibility rather than a privilege, arguing that the 2027 election would provide an opportunity for Nigerians to determine the country’s direction.

Hyat also argued that the South should be allowed to complete its eight-year tenure under the political understanding of rotational presidency between the North and South.

He said: “We all know Nigerians are saying, ‘Let the South complete its eight-year tenure.’ And if the South is going to complete its eight-year tenure, we know that the North now has the responsibility, even if not constitutionally but morally, to support it and make sure it goes that way, in the interest of Nigeria as one indivisible country.”

Hyat urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to reject religious, ethnic and regional sentiments in choosing political leaders.

The campaign committee was constituted by Makinde on September 30, with Hyat appointed Director-General.

Other members include APM National Leader and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and Dantalle, who were assigned coordination roles.

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Inna Ciroma, was appointed Deputy Director-General, Administration, while Dr Anthony Aziegbemi became Deputy Director-General, Operations.

Other appointments include Hamza Akuyam Koshe as Director, Contact and Mobilisation; Mark Jacob as Director, Legal and Compliance; Dr Ade Adeagbo as Director, Administration and Strategy; and Richard Ihediwa as Director, Strategic Communications.

Yusuf Ismaila Alkali was named Director, Finance; Dr Emmanuel Dennis, Director, Volunteers, Special Interests and Support Groups; and Suleiman Hussaini Kankia, Director, Security and Intelligence.

Toyin Balogun will oversee Women Coordination, while Umar Bida Ndabrama will head Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Documentation.

Armstrong Adah was appointed Director, Youth Coordination, while Adeyemi Moyegun will serve as Director, Organisation and Coordination. Retired CP Babangida Ayuba John was also appointed Deputy Director, Security and Intelligence.