Prince Laja Adeoye, the Allied People's Movement (APM) candidate for the 2027 Lagos state governorship election, has declared that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the party's presidential candidate, has the capacity to reset Nigeria within a single four-year term. Adeoye made the remarks during a television appearance on Sunday, October 4, asserting that a Makinde-led administration would deliver measurable progress across infrastructure, the economy, education, healthcare, and social services.
Why Adeoye Says the South Needs Makinde
Central to Adeoye's argument is Nigeria's unwritten tradition of rotating the presidency between the North and the South. He noted that although President Bola Tinubu represents the South in the current rotation, many southerners feel the region has not fully benefited from his administration.
"What we are seeing today is not what we expected from a government that is supposed to represent the interests of our region. That is why Governor Makinde is telling Nigerians that, under his leadership, Nigeria can be reset within four years," Adeoye said. He added that the four-year window would allow sufficient time to record lasting gains before the presidency rotates back to the North under the same rotational principle.
Makinde's Stance on Fuel Pricing and NNPCL's Role
On fuel pricing, Adeoye clarified that Makinde is not calling for the return of petrol subsidies but wants Nigerians to get more value from the country's crude oil before it reaches the international market. "If crude oil is produced in Nigeria, Nigerians should not have to buy petroleum products as though the crude has travelled around the world before returning to the country," he said, adding that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) should take a stronger role in safeguarding citizens' interests.
This aligns with Makinde's earlier remarks on Monday, September 7, 2026, during the inauguration of the APM's presidential campaign headquarters in Abuja, where he ruled out any return to the petrol subsidy regime. Instead, he proposed a new framework under which Nigerians would benefit directly from the country's crude oil through cheaper domestic supply to refineries, carefully separating his proposal from a subsidy restoration.
Adeoye Dismisses Spoiler Claims Against Makinde
Adeoye rejected suggestions that Makinde entered the presidential race only to reduce President Tinubu's vote share in the South-West, saying the governor is serious about winning. He pointed to Makinde's own story of persisting through doubt to become governor of Oyo State as evidence of his character.
"He is moving across the six geopolitical zones, listening to the people, understanding their concerns and allowing them to participate in the political process. Someone who is not serious about winning an election would not undertake this level of engagement," Adeoye said. He also praised Makinde's handling of a kidnapping incident involving schoolchildren in Oyo State, saying the governor convened meetings with security agencies, deployed resources, and remained personally invested in the outcome.
Adeoye's Vision for Lagos Under APM
On his own Lagos ambitions, Adeoye said an APM state government would target housing, food security, education, and infrastructure, with a specific goal of making Lagos one of Nigeria's three best-performing states in public examinations such as WAEC and NECO within four years. He also proposed constitutional recognition of Lagos's Local Council Development Areas as full local governments to bring services closer to residents.
As the 2027 presidential election approaches, Makinde's campaign continues to gain traction, with Adeoye's endorsement underscoring the party's confidence in the governor's ability to deliver transformative change. The APM's focus remains on engaging Nigerians across all regions, with Makinde's four-year reset plan as the cornerstone of his presidential bid.
