Why I decided to challenge Tinubu for 2027 Presidency — Makinde

Résumé détaillé

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, saying he no…

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, saying he no longer believes the administration is taking Nigeria in the right direction.

Makinde, who supported Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, said his decision to contest against the President was not borne out of a personal disagreement or an ambition to occupy Aso Rock but concerns about the country’s future and the opportunities available to Nigerians.

The governor gave the explanation in a lengthy statement published on his campaign platform, Reset Nigeria, on Thursday, where he outlined his political journey, his assessment of the Tinubu administration and his vision for the country.

He said he initially backed Tinubu because he believed the President could bring Nigerians together and establish a government of national unity and competence that would address the country’s economic challenges.

However, he said his assessment had changed after three years of the administration.

“I supported President Tinubu because I believed he could bring people together to build a government of national unity and competence. I believed his administration would confront our economic challenges while creating opportunities for Nigerians to build better lives.

“Three years later, I no longer believe his administration is taking us in that direction,” he said.

Explaining the personal experiences that shaped his political ambition, Makinde said he grew up in a lower-middle-class family where his father was a teacher who later retrained as an accountant, while his mother worked as a telephone operator in the civil service.

He said although his family was not wealthy, he grew up in a Nigeria where ordinary families believed education, hard work and determination could provide their children with better opportunities.

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