Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate Seyi Makinde has said Nigeria’s leaders have failed to turn the country’s vast natural and human resources into prosperity, describing the nation as rich in resources but poor in ideas.
Makinde, who is also the governor of Oyo State, made the remark on Wednesday in Abuja at the unveiling of his party’s manifesto. He traced the country’s development problems to poor leadership, weak institutions and policies that favour macroeconomic figures over the welfare of ordinary citizens.
“Nigeria has the resources and the capacity to achieve greatness. Nigeria is rich in natural resources and human resources, but our leaders are poor in ideas,” he said.
He explained that his Reset Agenda was shaped by consultations and town hall meetings across the six geopolitical zones, where Nigerians voiced their expectations and concerns.
Makinde named four issues behind his presidential bid: the neglect of broad-based economic growth in favour of macroeconomic reforms, the lack of government accountability, dysfunctional institutions, and the exclusion of millions of poor Nigerians from policy decisions.
He argued that economic reforms must deliver affordable food, jobs, higher incomes and a lower cost of living, rather than being celebrated through statistics that do little for households.
“Macroeconomic stability must have a direct impact on the people through job creation, improved incomes and a lower cost of living,” he said, adding that government must own both its successes and its failures.
On the economy, he said his administration would cut the structural cost of living by reducing production costs, improving electricity supply and creating a more competitive environment for businesses.
He lamented that manufacturers relying on diesel generators face heavy production costs, which he said were pushing some businesses to relocate to neighbouring countries.
The opposition candidate also asked why Nigerians should continue to bear the burden of rising international crude oil prices without benefiting from higher government revenues. He proposed a transparent system to ensure that oil earnings above the budget benchmark deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
On power, Makinde criticised the Federal Government for shifting responsibility to the states while retaining control of key national electricity assets. He promised to speed up reforms in the sector and said government must be held to its pledge of reliable electricity.
He also proposed constitutional and political reforms, including a requirement that a presidential candidate win at least 50 per cent plus one of the votes cast, which he said would encourage consensus-building across political, ethnic and religious lines.
Makinde further advocated a transitional government of national unity and said he would not personally benefit from any arrangement introduced under the reforms.
He said his administration would work with measurable targets and clear performance benchmarks starting within its first 100 days. He urged Nigerians to scrutinise the Reset Agenda and hold political leaders to their promises.
“We will tell Nigerians the truth. We will not make empty promises or engage in political theatrics. If we fail, Nigerians should hold us accountable,” he said.
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