By Son Tertsea, Abuja

Peter Obi, candidate of the National Democratic Congress NDC and Sheyi Makinde, of Allied People’s Movemt, APM have given acceptance speeches after affirmation by their political parties.

At the NDC convention Obi unveiled his roadmap for national recovery.

“It is with deep humility that I accept the role of presidential candidate of our party. I express my profound gratitude to the leaders of our party, His Excellency Seriake Dickson, the National Chairman, National Secretary, members of the National Working Committee, our relentless supporters and the Nigerian people who have steadfastly kept the spirit of hope alive,” he said.

The erstwhile Anambra State governor described Nigeria as a country at critical crossroads:

“Businesses are struggling, communities are suffering, and an alarming number of citizens have lost faith in the very concept of governance.

“Yet, I stand before you filled with optimism and strong faith in the resilience of our people, for I firmly believe that a new Nigeria is possible.

“In terms of security, the situation in Nigeria has considerably worsened. The global terrorism impact assessments ranked Nigeria as the eighth most affected nation in 2022, sixth in 2024, and fourth in 2026.”

Obi promised to solve the problem of insecurity with intelligence-driven and technology-based security reforms while addressing the root causes of violence: poverty and unemployment.

“We must address insecurity with resolve and urgency, for no nation can thrive while its citizens live in trepidation. The primary responsibility of government is to ensure the protection of lives and property,”

He further promised major reforms in the healthcare sector:

“Nigeria suffers from one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. Furthermore, health insurance coverage in Nigeria hovers at a mere 10 per cent.

“This situation is regrettable. I pledge that within four years, our health insurance coverage will more than double to over 20 per cent.”

On power, Obi said:

“Nigeria today is the nation with the highest number of citizens lacking access to electricity globally. We currently generate and distribute a mere 4,000 megawatts of electricity for a population exceeding 200 million,” he regretted promising the distribution by at least 10,000 megawatts within four years of presidency.

On his part, Sheyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, after emerging as the presidential candidate of Allied People’s Movement, APM, unveiled a reset agenda rooted in economic restructuring, petroleum sector overhaul and a decentralised security architecture.

“I stand before you today with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility as I accept the nomination to serve as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I believe the answer is simple… Nigeria must reset. We cannot continue recycling the same leadership approaches while expecting different results. A new direction must emerge; one built on competence, courage, accountability and compassion for the people.”

He promised reforms that directly improve citizens’ welfare, insisting that governance must be practical rather than rhetorical. That Nigeria must derive greater benefits from its status as an oil-producing nation, promising reforms in pricing, institutional efficiency and accountability within the petroleum sector.

“Nigerians must benefit from being an oil-producing country just like other oil-producing countries in the world.

“We will pursue fair, transparent and right pricing templates for petroleum products that reflect the realities of the cost of production. Nigerians must be protected from arbitrary pricing.

“I dare dream that the NNPC will be reformed and become lean, efficient and commercially driven through proper joint venture incorporation and institutional reforms.

“I dare dream that we will reset Nigeria and take the difficult but necessary decision to restructure the ownership of our refineries so Nigeria can finally stop bleeding resources into systems that no longer serve the people effectively.”

On national security, Makinde lamented the powerlessness of state governors called Chief Security Officers without constitutional control over security agencies.

“As Governor of Oyo State, I carry the painful burden of being called Chief Security Officer, yet lacking constitutional control over the security agencies needed to fully confront these threats.

“As President of Nigeria, I will work to reform our national security architecture so that states are no longer left helpless in moments of crisis. The decentralisation that we need for more effective security will be prioritised,” he assured.

Makinde equally expressed concern over ongoing kidnappings and insecurity across the country, describing them as a national emergency requiring urgent reforms.

The governor promised food security, transport reforms and agricultural productivity, stressing the need for data-driven planning.

He added that transportation costs had become a major burden for Nigerians and would require practical interventions based on tested models, to be issue-based and focused on solutions rather than political rhetoric:

“We will start with collating accurate data on our capacity in the agriculture sector so that we can address the gaps in production, processing, agrologistics and storage.

“I do not stand here promising miracles. I stand here promising leadership that listens, leadership that acts, and leadership that understands that governance must improve the lives of ordinary people.”

At the event, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy, Mohammed Jatau, led a delegation from the North-East to endorse Makinde’s candidacy, describing him as the leader Nigeria needed at its critical moment in history:

“We are here on behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State to support, endorse and celebrate the emergence of our dear distinguished brother, Oluwaseyi Makinde, as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement.

“Makinde possesses the qualities required to lead Nigeria towards progress and national renewal. We firmly believe that he is the leader Nigeria needs at this critical moment in our nation’s history. We are confident that he possesses the vision, competence, experience and commitment required to move Nigeria forward and deliver the leadership our people deserve.

“I wish to assure our brothers and sisters gathered here today that Bauchi State, the North-East region, and indeed many patriotic Nigerians across the northern part of the country stand firmly behind the APM movement.

“The people of Oyo and the people of Bauchi share a strong bond of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect. Our destinies are interconnected, and our aspirations for a better Nigeria are the same.”

The APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, presented the party’s flag and Certificate of Return to Makinde, describing his emergence as the beginning of a broader political movement tagged: “Reset Nigeria Agenda.”

He said state chairmen and stakeholders unanimously supported Makinde’s nomination with event marking the birth of the “Reset Nigeria Movement.”