On Wednesday 4 November 2026, Seyi Makinde, the Allied Peoples Movement’s presidential candidate and current governor of Oyo State, presented his Reset Nigeria Agenda in Abuja. The manifesto, aimed at the 2027 general election, calls for a sweeping overhaul of the country’s electoral system and a four‑year transitional government of national unity.
Makinde’s most prominent proposal is to amend the constitution so that a presidential candidate must secure at least 50 percent plus one of the total votes cast to win. He argues that the present arrangement, which allows a winner to emerge without an absolute majority, has fostered political instability, encouraged post‑election compromises and weakened democratic institutions.
“To become President of Nigeria, a candidate must secure at least 50 per cent plus one vote,” Makinde said. “That way, candidates and political parties will have to engage in discussions across party lines and other divisions to secure the support needed to form a government that commands the respect of the majority of Nigerians.”
While he will not abolish the multi‑party system, Makinde insists that the new rule will compel parties to build broader national consensus across ethnic, religious, regional and political lines. He added that any transitional government he would form would not be designed to benefit him personally.
“Today, Wednesday, November 4, 2026, I offer myself as a guinea pig by announcing to Nigerians that whatever constitutional and political arrangements we eventually develop, I will not be a beneficiary,” he said. “If I intend to benefit personally from the arrangements, there is a possibility that manipulation could set in. But I do not want that to happen.”
Beyond electoral reform, the Reset Nigeria Agenda focuses on economic recovery, security reforms, institutional strengthening and socio‑political restructuring. Makinde said the plan will be built on extensive consultations with citizens across the six geopolitical zones, including town‑hall meetings where people identified their priorities and envisioned the type of country they want.
He highlighted four core concerns that underpin his presidential ambition: the failure of macroeconomic reforms to improve household welfare, weak public institutions, widespread poverty and the inability of government policies to deliver tangible benefits to the population. According to Makinde, “Nigeria has the resources and the capacity to achieve greatness. Nigeria is rich in natural resources and human resources, but our leaders are poor in ideas.” He concluded that government must make life easier for the people, ensuring safety, decent earnings, access to opportunities and the ability to develop individual talents.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
