A chieftain of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Alhaji Bisi Olopoeyan, has criticised the party’s presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, describing his conduct during a recent political event as childish.
Olopoeyan was reacting to Makinde’s remarks urging Nigerians to vote for candidates who possess the energy and physical strength to lead the country.
Speaking at an APM town hall meeting in Akure, Ondo State, Makinde reportedly jumped down from the stage and challenged Nigerians to support candidates capable of demonstrating similar physical ability.
However, Olopoeyan questioned the relevance of the gesture to governance, asking whether physical strength should determine a candidate’s suitability for the presidency.
In a video, the APM chieftain also reminded Makinde that President Bola Tinubu is older than the Oyo State governor.
“Seyi Makinde acts like a child sometimes; is jumping what they use for governance? Is Tinubu the same age as Seyi Makinde? Or will he not grow old again?” Olopoeyan said.
He added: “Tinubu’s firstborn is older than Makinde, is it jumping they use in governance?
“You jumped from the stage, are you planning to fight wrestling or boxing? So they should call Tinubu to come and jump?”
Olopoeyan further accused Makinde of repeatedly mentioning Tinubu during his political engagements instead of explaining his own policy proposals.
“There is no campaign he can do other than name-dropping Tinubu, he should tell us what he can do. If Makinde’s father were alive, could he jump like that?” he added.
The remarks have brought renewed attention to the debate over physical fitness, age and the qualities Nigerians should consider when choosing their next president ahead of the 2027 general elections.
