2027: We’ll defeat Tinubu in 12 battleground states, Makinde’s campaign vows
By Luminous Jannamike
The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO) asserted that its candidate, Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), will triumph over President Bola Tinubu in January 2027, particularly in the 12 battleground states identified by Tinubu, including Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja.
In a statement released by Hon. Richard Nnanna Ihediwa, the MDPCO’s Director of Strategic Communications, the organization claimed that Tinubu’s forthcoming visits to these states would fail to mitigate what it characterized as mounting opposition to his re-election. The MDPCO attributed current hardships faced by Nigerians to the policies of Tinubu’s administration and criticized members of the president’s inner circle for exacerbating public discontent through perceived political arrogance.
The MDPCO emphasized the rising popularity of Makinde’s RESET NIGERIA agenda, particularly among young voters, and urged Tinubu to engage directly with constituents rather than relying on campaign rallies. The organization identified Oyo, Kaduna, Rivers, Plateau, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa, and Lagos as key states where Tinubu intends to campaign personally—a move it interpreted as an acknowledgment of Makinde’s increasing political influence.
“Mr. President should know that his visit to these states, if he eventually does, will not change the direction or determination of the people to vote him out,” the statement read.
The MDPCO also challenged Tinubu to experience conditions firsthand by traveling by road through these states to witness the state of federal highways, the living conditions of citizens, and the overall state of public infrastructure.
“We urge President Tinubu not to reconsider but to visit the states and interact with the people. He should travel the country by road to see the deteriorating highways and the living conditions of Nigerians,” the organization stated.
Accusations were made against the administration for expending significant funds on ineffective programs while citizens continue to face economic struggles. Additionally, the MDPCO dismissed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as ineffective, promoting Makinde’s RESET NIGERIA plan as a viable alternative.
The proposed agenda focuses on establishing an inclusive transitional government that prioritizes education, the economy, security, and socio-political reforms over a four-year period. According to the organization, Makinde’s economic strategies aim to reduce poverty through enhanced production, while his security policies will incorporate intelligence gathering, social reorientation, and both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. The education component aims to increase access to quality education, and proposed institutional reforms are intended to promote inclusive governance and responsible leadership.
Feedback gathered from the campaign’s field operations suggests that the RESET NIGERIA message is particularly resonating with Nigerians, especially youth, who are seeking an alternative to the current administration.
The MDPCO further criticized Tinubu’s campaign strategies as a misuse of national resources, labeling his team as ineffective political figures. It concluded that neither the president’s campaign efforts nor the advantages of incumbency would mitigate what it views as a significant electoral backlash, maintaining confidence that Makinde will secure a victory in both the battleground states and throughout the nation.
