…Clears air on petrol pricing
The presidential candidate of Allied Peoples’ Movement, APM, Mr. Seyi Makinde, yesterday fired back at those dismissing his 2027 bid, saying they could not discount millions of Nigerians whose votes would determine the country’s political future.
Makinde spoke in Abuja while commissioning the APM presidential campaign headquarters, where he unveiled the ‘Reset Nigeria’ campaign, built around transparency in government, accountability and ensuring that the country’s resources translate into better lives for citizens.
He also also clarified his position on petrol pricing, saying he was not advocating a return to the old fuel subsidy regime but wanted Nigerians to benefit more directly from the crude oil produced in the country.
He argued that the benefit should be built into the price at which crude was supplied to local refineries, rather than through interventions after costs and inefficiencies have accumulated across the petroleum value chain.
“So why should crude oil supplied to Nigerian refineries be priced as though Nigeria does not produce crude oil?” Makinde queried.
He called for transparency across production, domestic crude allocation, refining, transportation, distribution, taxes and retail margins, saying Nigerians should be able to understand how the final pump price is determined.
‘Government must show its workings’
Makinde said the principle extended beyond the petroleum sector to the way government made decisions and manages public resources.
“It means that government must show its workings. It means that Nigerians must know how decisions are made, how public resources are used and who benefits from them,” he said.
The governor said the campaign would reach Nigerians whose daily experiences shaped the impact of government policies, including traders, farmers, workers, business owners and young people.
Makinde recalled that when he first contested the Oyo governorship, many had dismissed his chances of winning.
“They may discount one candidate. But they cannot discount millions of Nigerians united behind a better future,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to make the campaign a broader civic conversation, rather than one restricted to politicians.
“Ask questions. Challenge our ideas. Share your own ideas. Organise within your communities. Become a resetter.
“We count. Our voices count. Our experiences count. Our ideas count. And, together, our votes will count,” Makinde said.
Vanguard
