Youths Back Makinde Over 2020 EndSARS Role, Says APM

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) says Nigerian youths are increasingly backing its presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The party said the growing support was reflected in renewed discussions across the media and social platforms over Makinde’s role during the 2020 EndSARS protests, when he personally joined protesting youths and directed security agencies to protect their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

In a statement on Monday, the APM National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, said Makinde’s popularity, particularly among young Nigerians, was a strong indication of the party’s prospects in the 2027 presidential election.

“The APM relishes Governor Makinde’s trending as the presidential candidate who best connects with the sensibilities, susceptibilities and desires of the youths following his record of always believing in, identifying and standing with young people in their pursuit of legitimate aspirations as citizens.

“Nigerians know those who truly care for them. They can differentiate between mere election rhetoric and genuine commitment, devotion and capacity to serve.

“This explains why the Nigerian youth population are massively queuing behind Governor Makinde as a leader and president they can trust to drive the Nigeria of their dream.

“We are also not surprised that the youths are recalling that Governor Makinde spiritedly fought for them in opposing the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government’s ban on X (then Twitter) in June 2021,” the APM said.

The party recalled that Makinde had, in an official statement at the time, opposed the suspension of X, arguing that it would adversely affect the livelihoods of young Nigerians because the platform had become more than a communication tool, serving as a vital avenue for domestic and international e-commerce and business engagements.

The APM also said Nigerians had expressed confidence in Makinde’s “Reset Nigeria Agenda”, which it described as a framework for a national paradigm shift anchored on probity, transparency and accountability.

“Nigerians recognise that the Reset Nigeria Agenda guarantees a nation where leaders are service-driven, open and accountable, and where the views of the people are respected and valued instead of being suppressed.

“Indeed, our party and presidential candidate do not take this confidence reposed in us by Nigerians for granted. We are intensifying every effort in strengthening our structures across the country to ensure that our votes and mandate are firmly protected,” it added.

While appreciating Nigerians for their support, the APM urged citizens to remain vigilant and prepare not only to vote but also to use every lawful means to resist any attempt by “any anti-democratic force” to deny them what it described as their victory, “which they will surely secure with the Makinde/Daura ticket on the banner of the APM.”