The presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Kaduna, describing it as a “carnival of deceit, recycled lies and brazen political fraud.”
Makinde accused President Bola Tinubu of seeking re-election in 2027 despite what he described as unfulfilled promises, worsening economic hardship, rising poverty, unemployment and persistent insecurity.
The opposition candidate’s criticism followed the APC campaign rally held in Kaduna on Saturday, where he alleged that the ruling party was attempting to repackage failed promises and make fresh assurances to Nigerians without demonstrating sufficient progress under the current administration.
In a statement issued by Richard Ihediwa, Director of Strategic Communications of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation, Makinde said the rally offered little evidence of meaningful improvements under Tinubu’s leadership.
Makinde Accuses Tinubu of Failing Nigerians
The APM presidential candidate argued that northern Nigeria had been particularly affected by insecurity and economic difficulties.
He accused Tinubu of seeking another presidential mandate without adequately addressing the challenges confronting residents of the region.
Makinde also faulted the President for allegedly blaming the opposition for poverty, describing the position as an attempt to avoid responsibility for the administration’s economic policies.
According to him, the hardship experienced by Nigerians contradicts the government’s promises of improved living conditions.
The opposition candidate further criticised the administration’s handling of youth unemployment, arguing that many young Nigerians continued to struggle with joblessness, desperation and disillusionment despite promises of a better future.
Makinde Recalls 2024 Hunger Protests
Makinde also referenced the August 2024 protests against hunger, during which demonstrators, including minors, were arrested in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Gombe and other states before being taken to Abuja and charged with treason.
He argued that the treatment of the protesters raised questions about the administration’s commitment to addressing the grievances of young Nigerians.
The APM candidate maintained that the government’s handling of economic hardship and youth unemployment had undermined its assurances of a better future for citizens.
APM Candidate Questions Abuja-Kaduna Highway Commissioning
Makinde also criticised the reported commissioning of a partially completed 88-kilometre section of the Abuja-Kaduna Highway during the APC campaign rally.
He described the development as a “comedy of absurdity” and questioned why Tinubu would commission the road project within the stadium instead of visiting the construction site.
Makinde suggested that the decision raised questions about the administration’s claims concerning improved security in northern Nigeria. However, he did not provide independent evidence establishing that insecurity was the reason for the President’s decision.
“It is either the President was afraid of insecurity or fears the boiling volcano of popular anger against his failed government,” he said.
The APM candidate also warned against presenting the commissioning of part of the highway as the completion of the entire Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway.
According to him, commissioning a section of an inherited project should not be portrayed as delivering the entire road infrastructure.
“President Tinubu cannot claim the whole when he is commissioning a part. He cannot turn an inherited project into personal glory,” Makinde added.
Makinde Faults Security Deployment at APC Rally
The opposition candidate equally criticised the reported deployment of a large number of security personnel to the rally venue.
He argued that a government confident of its popularity should not need to turn a campaign event into what he described as a security operation.
Makinde maintained that the APC had failed to provide convincing reasons for Nigerians, particularly voters in northern Nigeria, to support Tinubu for another term in the 2027 presidential election.
He also dismissed the administration’s assurances of “prosperity, continuity and progress” as insufficient to convince citizens facing economic hardship and security challenges.
2027 Election: Political Tensions Build
Makinde’s remarks add to the growing political exchanges ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election, as opposition figures increasingly question the Tinubu administration’s performance on the economy, infrastructure and national security.
The criticism centres on the administration’s economic policies, efforts to address unemployment, security challenges in the North and claims of progress on major infrastructure projects.
However, the allegations contained in the campaign statement represent Makinde’s position. The statement did not include a response from the Presidency or the APC to the specific criticisms.
The issues raised are therefore presented as the opposition candidate’s allegations and assessments rather than independently established findings.