Oyo State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has challenged his potential opponents to demonstrate their physical stamina, jumping off a stage during a political gathering in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday.
Makinde made the challenge at the party’s South-West Presidential Campaign Town Hall Meeting, where he said he would focus on energy and the ability to withstand the demands of leadership rather than make age an issue in the 2027 election.
He urged Nigerians to assess presidential candidates based on their physical endurance and capacity to cope with the rigours of governing the country.
“While I will not make age an issue of this campaign, I will make energy, having energy, being able to stay up late, have the rigours, have the energy to deal with the challenges that we’re faced as a country,” the governor said.
He added, “So please, when they bring their own presidential candidate, let the candidate come here and also jump down! If they can do that, vote for them!”
The crowd erupted in cheers and chants as Makinde jumped off the stage during the event at the Ondo State International Conference Centre, popularly known as The Dome.
The gathering also provided a platform for the APM to present its policy framework ahead of the 2027 general election, with Makinde outlining a four-point agenda under the party’s “RESET Nigeria” platform.
The agenda focuses on the economy, education, security and socio-political development, which the party identified as critical areas requiring urgent attention.
Makinde also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of failing to fulfil its promises to Nigerians.
He said the 2027 election would offer voters an opportunity to reject the current administration, citing electricity supply challenges and fluctuations in petroleum prices as examples of issues affecting households and businesses.
The APM candidate questioned the government’s handling of these challenges and presented his party as an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political platforms.
He also sought to rally opposition forces around his presidential ambition, urging Nigerians to consider the APM’s policy proposals ahead of the next general election.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who attended the meeting, expressed confidence in the APM’s political prospects, describing it as a major opposition movement.
