Presidency fears Makinde's popularity, says APM

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has accused the Tinubu Presidency of lacking the courage to invite Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to the flag-off ceremony for the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode federal road project. The APM alleges that the presidency fears Governor Makinde's rising popularity and significant performance would eclipse President Tinubu at the event.

In a statement released by APM National Publicity Secretary Yusuf Abubakar, the party asserted that the presidency is apprehensive that Makinde's presence would highlight the contrast in road infrastructure development. The APM pointed out that while President Tinubu, also from the Southwest, has not initiated or completed a substantial number of road projects in the region since taking office in 2023, Governor Makinde has already delivered over 360 kilometers of roads in Oyo State, with more projects slated for commissioning.

“

It is also evident that the fear of Governor Makinde’s popularity could be the reason behind President Tinubu’s absence at the ceremony.

Furthermore, the APM suggested that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is uneasy about Governor Makinde's leadership capabilities, particularly his success in uniting and mobilizing other governors, leaders, and stakeholders across the nation on critical national issues. The party believes this influence would inevitably draw attention to Makinde during such a high-profile ceremony.

The APM spokesperson concluded that the fear of Governor Makinde's popularity might be the reason behind President Tinubu's absence from the event. Despite this perceived slight, the APM stated that its party and candidate are unfazed, asserting that the APC and the Tinubu Presidency cannot indefinitely avoid Governor Makinde, predicting a future electoral contest in 2027 where Nigerians will favor Makinde over Tinubu.

“

In any case, our party and candidate are not perturbed by the incident. The APC and the Tinubu Presidency must note that they cannot run from Governor Makinde forever. They must surely meet him at the poll in January 2027 where the Will of millions of Nigerians in preference for Governor Makinde as the replacement for President Tinubu cannot be suppressed.