Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has challenged other contenders in the 2027 presidential race to demonstrate their physical stamina, insisting that energy would be a major focus of his campaign.
Makinde made the remarks on Thursday at the APM South-West town hall meeting in Akure, Ondo State, where he said the demands of presidential leadership required candidates capable of enduring the pressures of governance.
The governor, who said he would not make age an issue in the campaign, argued that candidates should demonstrate their ability to cope with the rigorous demands of the office.
“While I will not make age an issue of this campaign, I will make energy. Having energy. Being able to stay up late, have the rigours, have the energy to deal with the challenges that we are faced with as a country,” he said.
Makinde challenged rival candidates to demonstrate their physical endurance during the campaign, urging Nigerians to consider the demands of leadership when assessing presidential contenders.
“So please, when they bring their own presidential candidates, let the candidates come here and also jump down. If they can do that, vote for them,” he added.
The APM presidential candidate also defended his decision to contest the 2027 election despite criticism that the South-West already had a presidential candidate.
Citing the 1999 presidential election, Makinde recalled that the region produced former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae as contenders, arguing that the emergence of multiple candidates from the same region was not unusual.
He maintained that the South-West could field more than one presidential candidate without undermining its interests.
Makinde further urged voters to reject what he described as the politics of deceit, saying he would campaign on his record in Oyo State rather than focus solely on attacking his opponents.
