Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has accused President Bola Tinubu of using Nigeria’s rising foreign reserves to create a false impression of economic recovery amid widespread hunger and hardship.

Makinde described the emphasis on growing foreign reserves as a political gimmick, insisting that economic progress should be measured by improvements in citizens’ living conditions rather than financial indicators.

The governor spoke on Saturday in a video message at the official launch of the Makinde and Daura for Better Nigeria (MAD) Resetter Movement in Lagos.

The event attracted APM leaders, party loyalists, stakeholders and candidates preparing for the 2027 general elections.

Makinde called for a comprehensive reset of Nigeria’s economy, security architecture, education system and socio-political environment, stressing the need to restore the principles of federalism and multiparty democracy.

“I am with you 101 per cent towards the reset agenda for Nigeria. We need to reset our economy, our security architecture, our educational system and the socio-political environment,” he said.

He questioned the relevance of rising foreign reserves when millions of Nigerians were struggling to afford basic necessities.

“We have heard stories that Nigeria’s foreign reserves are going up. I liken it to a household where the head is telling the people that we have a lot of money in our savings accounts, but everyone in that household is hungry,” he said.

According to him, economic growth should translate into prosperity, financial independence and opportunities for citizens, particularly young people.

He said Nigerians should be able to pursue their aspirations in an environment that provides economic opportunities instead of struggling to survive despite claims of improved economic performance.

Makinde also argued that Nigeria was founded on federalism and multiparty democracy, principles he said must be strengthened to make the country work for everyone.

“Nigeria was negotiated on the basis of a federalism arrangement. Nigeria was negotiated on the basis of multiparty democracy. So, join myself and Alhaji Lawal Daura in the agenda to make Nigeria work for everybody,” he said.

He urged Nigerians dissatisfied with the state of the country to join the movement, calling on its members to extend their mobilisation beyond Lagos and the Southwest to other geopolitical zones.

In his address, the Director-General of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation, Hon. Hassan Felix, said Nigeria needed a change of direction, citing unemployment, insecurity and economic hardship.

Felix questioned claims that the government’s economic policies were improving living conditions, arguing that persistent hardship and companies leaving the country contradicted such assertions.

He also compared Nigeria’s economic performance with Ghana’s, saying the country had failed to convert its abundant resources into prosperity.

“We want to go back to a nation of prosperity. They are deceiving Nigerians, but the time of deceit is over. It is time for a reset, and that time is now,” he said.

The Director of Volunteers, Support and Special Interest Groups of the MAD Political Campaign Organisation, Dr Emmanuel Dennis, said the movement would prioritise issue-based campaigns over rallies and entertainment.

Dennis said rising petrol prices, stagnant salaries and worsening economic conditions had made it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to provide for their families.

He also criticised the National Assembly, describing it as a rubber stamp, and expressed concern over what he described as the growing influence of court decisions on electoral outcomes.

“We know campaign has started, but we don’t want to have a campaign that people would dance and then go home. We want to make our campaign issue-based,” he said.

Dennis questioned Nigeria’s continued description as the giant of Africa, arguing that the country’s economic and political challenges required fundamental reforms.

“We are not coming to rescue and we are not trying to rescue, but we want to reset Nigeria. And if we must reset Nigeria, you have to follow the person that knows the road. Follow MAD to reset Nigeria,” he said.

The APM governorship candidate in Lagos State, Adelaja Adeoye, pledged to run an inclusive administration that would cater for residents regardless of gender or social background.

“We are gender-sensitive in APM. We are bringing a Lagos that will take care of everybody and not exclude anyone,” he said.

Adeoye expressed confidence in the party’s electoral prospects, attributing its chances to grassroots mobilisation.

He urged voters to reject vote-buying, describing their permanent voter cards (PVCs) as instruments of political power.

“Your PVC is the instrument in your hands. That is your power. If truly you are tired of bad governance, don’t collect money from them. Don’t let them bribe you because what they would give you won’t last you a day,” he said.

He also promised that an APM-led government would be accountable to voters rather than political godfathers, accusing the incumbent administration of serving the interests of a select few.

Meanwhile, local government chairmen of the party in Lagos State endorsed the Makinde-Daura presidential ticket, Adeoye’s governorship candidacy and other party candidates contesting senatorial, House of Representatives and other seats.

Speaking on behalf of the chairmen, Hon. Isiaka Sodeinde reaffirmed their commitment to the reset agenda and declared support for the APM-PDP alliance.

He expressed confidence that the alliance’s candidates would win the elections. (Weekend Trust)