Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has declared that he would “reset Nigeria” within four years if elected president in the 2027 general election, promising to establish a transitional Government of National Unity from May 29, 2027.
Makinde made the declaration on Monday, September 28, 2026, during the APM North Central Town Hall Meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, where he outlined his vision for what he described as a fundamental reset of Nigeria’s political, economic, security and educational systems.
«“I will reset Nigeria in four years. As your president from May 29, 2027, we will run a transitional government of national unity.”»
According to Makinde, the proposed four-year reset would focus on creating a new security architecture, establishing a new direction for education, rebuilding the economy through data, science and logic, and reforming Nigeria’s socio-political environment. His comments form part of the broader “Reset Nigeria” agenda that has become the central theme of his 2027 presidential campaign.
Makinde argued that four years was sufficient to undertake fundamental national reforms, drawing an analogy with Nigeria’s transition from military rule to democratic government. He cited the brief tenure of a former military head of state as evidence that significant political transformation could be achieved within a relatively short period.
“The reset agenda can be concluded in four years,” Makinde said, adding that Nigeria could use the period to establish new systems capable of delivering sustainable development.
The governor’s latest proposal comes against the backdrop of his earlier declaration for the presidency. In May 2026, Makinde formally announced his presidential ambition under an alliance involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APM, later emerging as the APM’s presidential candidate.
In September, he further developed the “Reset Nigeria” concept, outlining reforms spanning the economy, education, security and governance. At a North-West town hall meeting in Katsina, he said his proposed administration would seek to make the Nigerian economy more productive and competitive while investing in skills, knowledge and expanded economic activity.
The idea of a broad-based national government has also featured prominently in opposition discussions ahead of the 2027 election. On September 25, Accord presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim disclosed that he and Makinde had agreed on the need for a post-election Government of National Unity, arguing that Nigeria would require broad political participation after the election.
Makinde has also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity and questioned whether increased allocations to state governments have translated into meaningful improvements in citizens’ living conditions. At the Lafia meeting, he argued that tackling insecurity requires proper planning and adequate budgetary provisions.
The governor has increasingly presented the 2027 contest as an opportunity for structural change rather than merely a change of political leadership. His campaign says the “Reset Nigeria” agenda is intended to address the country’s security challenges, economic difficulties, education needs and governance structure.
With the 2027 presidential election approaching, Makinde’s promise of a four-year reset and transitional Government of National Unity is now one of the major elements of his campaign platform. Whether Nigerians ultimately endorse that programme will be determined by the electorate at the 2027 polls.
For now, the message from the APM presidential candidate is clear: if elected, he intends to use his first four years in office to pursue what he describes as a comprehensive national reset and to govern through a broad-based transitional administration focused on laying the foundation for Nigeria’s long-term development.
0 Comments