The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: 2027 presidential election

  • Makinde Defends 2027 Presidential Bid Against Tinubu, Cites Obasanjo-Falae Contest

    Makinde Defends 2027 Presidential Bid Against Tinubu, Cites Obasanjo-Falae Contest

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has defended his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election against an incumbent from the South-West, arguing that the region can field more than one candidate without compromising its interests.

    Makinde spoke on Thursday at the APM’s South-West town hall meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where he recalled the 1999 presidential election, which featured two prominent candidates from the region.

    The governor said some people had questioned his decision to enter the race because President Bola Tinubu, who is also from the South-West, currently occupies the office.

    “I’ve listened to people. They said to us, ‘Seyi Makinde, why are you contesting in this election when the South-West already has somebody seated on that seat?’ And I’ve explained to them, we do have an example here in the South-West,” he said.

    Makinde cited the 1999 election, in which former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae contested the presidency, noting that the region’s decision to produce two candidates did not result in any disaster.

    He argued that the arrangement gave Nigerians the opportunity to choose between two candidates from the same region.

    “And heaven did not fall. As a matter of fact, what the South-West did was to present two of their finest, two of their best for Nigeria to choose from. Is there anything wrong with that this time around?” he asked.

    The governor also urged voters in the region to reject what he described as deceptive politics, saying he would campaign on his record in Oyo State rather than rely solely on criticism of political opponents.

    Makinde also criticised the Federal Government over a reported presentation of the United Nations budget to the President in Nigeria by the country’s permanent representatives to the UN.

    He questioned the justification for spending public funds on travel from New York to Abuja for the exercise.

    The governor further raised concerns about budget implementation, asking which fiscal year’s budget was being implemented.

    “Is it 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 budgets?” he asked.

    On the campaign, Makinde said he would focus on energy and physical stamina rather than make age a central issue in the presidential contest.

    “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 are faced with as a country,” he said.

    He challenged rival presidential candidates to demonstrate their physical fitness during the campaign, suggesting that voters should consider their ability to withstand the demands of the race.

    “So please, when they bring their own presidential candidates, let the candidates come here and also jump down. If they can do that, vote for them,” Makinde added.

  • APC Secretary, Sowore Trade Words Over Request to Hold Campaign Inauguration at Aso Rock

    APC Secretary, Sowore Trade Words Over Request to Hold Campaign Inauguration at Aso Rock

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, and the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, have engaged in a war of words following the opposition party’s request to hold its presidential campaign council inauguration at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    The disagreement began after Basiru described Sowore as a comedian and skit maker, questioning his political relevance and electoral performance.

    The AAC had written to President Bola Tinubu on October 21, 2026, seeking approval to inaugurate its presidential campaign council at the Presidential Villa on November 11.

    The letter, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Oshiokhai Ikpeminioghena, also requested food, drinks and other logistical support for participants at the proposed event.

    Reacting to the request during an appearance on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* on Wednesday, Basiru questioned Sowore’s political standing and challenged him to demonstrate electoral strength at the state level.

    The APC chieftain also cited the AAC’s performance in the 2023 presidential election, arguing that the party had failed to establish a significant electoral presence.

    Basiru, however, acknowledged his longstanding relationship with Sowore, recalling their involvement in student activism during the struggle against military rule in the 1990s.

    Sowore responded in a post on his X account later that evening, recalling their shared history and accusing the APC secretary of abandoning the ideals they once championed.

    To support his account, the activist shared a photograph he said was taken in 1998, when he led the Congress of Progressive Youths (COPY), a group involved in the campaign against military dictatorship.

    Sowore said the photograph reflected a period when both men were involved in the struggle for democratic governance and civil liberties.

    He also challenged Basiru’s use of the 2023 presidential election results to dismiss his political relevance, describing the election as deeply flawed and disputing the suggestion that opposition candidates should be ashamed of their performance.

    The AAC candidate further recalled assisting Basiru and Kunle Adegoke, popularly known as K-Rad, who is now a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in their educational pursuits after Basiru’s difficulties at the University of Ilorin in 1992.

    According to Sowore, both men subsequently completed their legal education and built professional careers.

    He argued that the struggle for democracy, justice and human rights should not be reduced to entertainment, accusing Basiru of ridiculing the same activism that helped shape his political and personal development.

    Sowore also criticised what he described as a shift in Basiru’s principles since joining the ruling party, suggesting that political office had influenced his attitude towards their shared past.

    He maintained that political positions were temporary and that the principles of freedom and democratic accountability remained relevant regardless of who occupied public office.

    The exchange has drawn attention to the AAC’s request to hold its campaign council inauguration at the Presidential Villa, although the request and the proposed logistical support do not, by themselves, establish that approval has been granted.