Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has proposed the establishment of state police, a transitional government of national unity and reforms to Nigeria’s political system as part of a four-pillar agenda to address the country’s challenges.
Makinde outlined the proposals during an interview on Jay FM 101.9 Jos’ State of the Nation programme on Sunday, November 8, 2026, identifying the economy, security, education and socio-political reforms as priorities requiring urgent attention.
On security, he renewed his support for state police, arguing that decentralising policing would improve intelligence gathering and enable states to respond more effectively to security threats.
He recalled that he was among the governors who advocated state policing during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a move he said contributed to the establishment of the Amotekun security network in the South-West.
However, he acknowledged the need for safeguards to prevent governors and other political office holders from abusing state-controlled police structures.
The proposal raises questions about operational independence, oversight and how security personnel would be protected from political interference.
On the economy, Makinde said government performance should be measured by improvements in citizens’ living conditions rather than macroeconomic statistics. He identified entrepreneurship, skills development, knowledge acquisition and increased production as essential to reducing poverty and creating opportunities for young people.
He also called for increased investment in education, warning that poor access to quality education could worsen insecurity, banditry, kidnapping and other social problems.
Citing his experience with free education in Oyo State, he said government must invest in education to give younger generations better opportunities.
On political reforms, Makinde advocated a system that promotes multiparty democracy, broader representation and national consensus rather than a winner-takes-all arrangement.
He also proposed a transitional government of national unity, arguing that Nigeria needs a more inclusive political structure. He did not, however, provide details on how such a government would be constituted or operate within the existing constitutional framework.
The APM presidential candidate further claimed that 67 per cent of voters rejected the APC in the 2023 presidential election, using the figure to argue for broader political inclusion.
While his proposals address major national challenges, questions remain about their implementation, funding, timelines and accountability mechanisms.
Makinde did not outline specific targets or monitoring frameworks for measuring the success of the proposed reforms, particularly in security, education and economic development.
He also urged Plateau residents to participate in APM’s political engagement, stressing that dialogue with stakeholders was more important than political rallies alone.
