Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Engr. Seyi Abiodun Makinde, has called for a fundamental reset of Nigeria’s democratic system, urging Nigerians to move from a democracy centred on elections to one defined by good governance, accountability, institutional strength and respect for the rule of law.
Makinde made the call in a speech titled “Democracy, Good Governance and the Future of Nigeria”, delivered at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference. The governor was represented at the event by the APM vice-presidential candidate and former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Daura.
Addressing members of the legal profession, Makinde said Nigeria needed more than political slogans to overcome its challenges, stressing the need for competent leadership, institutional reforms, accountability and an unwavering commitment to constitutional democracy.
He anchored his argument on Sections 14(1) and 14(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, which establish democracy and social justice as the basis of the Nigerian state and affirm that sovereignty belongs to the people from whom government derives its powers and authority.
According to him, “Government does not own the people. The people own the government,” stressing that political office should be regarded as a public trust rather than personal property or a reward for political loyalty.
The APM presidential candidate said Nigeria had made significant democratic progress since 1999 by maintaining civilian rule and conducting elections, but warned that the survival of democratic government should not be confused with the success of democracy.
He said the real test of democracy was whether Nigerians had the freedom to choose their leaders, whether political parties operated democratically, whether electoral institutions were independent, whether votes were protected and whether elected officials remained accountable to the electorate.
Makinde described the 2027 general election as an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its capacity to conduct credible elections capable of commanding the confidence of citizens. He, however, expressed concern over money politics, disputes within political parties, political realignments and other challenges confronting the country’s democratic process.
He declared that Nigeria could no longer build democracy on poverty and vote-buying, arguing that money should not determine who secures party tickets or holds public office.
The governor also criticised the growing influence of political godfathers and the concentration of political parties in the hands of a few individuals, saying political parties should not become “private estates” controlled by powerful individuals.
He reiterated that Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, regardless of political party, ethnicity, religion or generation, and pledged that institutional reform would be a central pillar of his administration if elected president.
Makinde promised to strengthen institutions, ensure greater electoral credibility, promote judicial independence, reward competence in the civil service and strengthen mechanisms through which citizens can hold government accountable.
Speaking to lawyers, he emphasised that power must have limits, arguing that no president, governor, political party or government agency should be above the Constitution and the law.
He particularly called for a stronger and independent judiciary, saying citizens must have access to institutions capable of protecting their rights and declaring government actions unlawful when necessary.
Makinde also advocated strict obedience to lawful court judgments, stressing that the rule of law could not operate selectively.
According to him, a government that demands obedience from citizens must itself obey the law.
On the rising cost of political participation, the APM presidential candidate warned that expensive politics could exclude competent Nigerians without enormous financial resources from public office.
He advocated a political system where “ideas compete with ideas, competence competes with competence and character competes with character,” rather than one dominated by financial power.
Makinde also called for a shift from personality-driven politics to politics based on policies and principles, urging Nigerians to move from politics of patronage to performance, exclusion to participation, impunity to accountability, and division to nation-building.
Addressing the economic challenges facing Nigerians, the governor cited Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which places the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government.
He questioned the meaning of democracy to unemployed graduates, families unable to afford healthcare, farmers affected by insecurity and business owners struggling with the high cost of operating in Nigeria.
Makinde said government must respond to these challenges through employment, security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic opportunities and responsible management of public resources.
He further stressed that governance must remain people-centred, noting that behind every government statistic, budgetary allocation and policy decision were human beings and communities whose lives could be directly affected.
The governor also called for a strong opposition as a vital component of democratic governance, saying government should be questioned, scrutinised and held accountable.
He argued that opposition parties should not be regarded as enemies of government, describing a strong opposition as “an insurance policy for democracy.”
Makinde urged lawyers to play a more active role in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy by challenging unconstitutional conduct, defending fundamental rights, protecting electoral integrity, promoting legal reforms and defending judicial independence.
He said his decision to seek the presidency was partly driven by his belief that lawyers and other professionals should not merely interpret laws but also participate in shaping the institutions through which the laws are implemented.
He envisioned a Nigeria where young professionals could aspire to public office without political godfathers, entrepreneurs could build businesses without unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles, parents could educate their children regardless of their economic status, and citizens could travel without fear.
He further promised that public officials under his leadership would regard every naira entrusted to government as belonging ultimately to the Nigerian people.
According to him, the 2027 election should not merely be a contest between personalities but a contest between ideas, visions and competing approaches to governance, giving Nigerians the opportunity to make an informed choice about the country’s future.
Makinde pledged that if elected president, he would regard the mandate as a trust and would not treat political opponents as enemies, criticism as treason or public resources as private wealth.
He declared that the Constitution would be his guide, the Nigerian people his constituency, the rule of law his standard and good governance his objective.
Concluding his address, the APM presidential candidate called for a new political culture in which public office is service, accountability is normal, institutions are respected and citizens are empowered to demand better governance.
He urged Nigerians to move from “democracy of elections to democracy of governance,” from politics of promises to politics of performance, and from leadership for self to leadership for service.
Makinde appealed to Nigerians to join him in building a country where the ballot is respected, the Constitution is obeyed, courts are independent, institutions are accountable and government genuinely belongs to the people.
He said his presidential bid was an invitation to Nigerians to believe again, participate actively in democracy, demand better governance, restore public trust and build institutions capable of outliving individual leaders.
“Not because I claim to have all the answers, but because I am prepared to listen, to learn, to serve and to be held accountable,” he said, expressing confidence that Nigerians could collectively restore confidence in democracy and make good governance the standard rather than the exception.
