Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has questioned the funding and planning behind the Federal Government’s expansion of the Nigerian Army, asking the administration of President Bola Tinubu to identify the provision made for the new divisions in the 2026 budget.
Makinde raised the issue on Monday at the APM North-Central Town Hall Meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, where he also discussed insecurity, state finances and his proposed agenda ahead of the 2027 presidential election. (Vanguard News)
Makinde questions Army expansion plans
The Federal Government approved an expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions in July 2026. The Presidency said the move was intended to improve command and control, strengthen border security and allow faster military responses to security threats. The government also announced plans to recruit 28,000 additional personnel as part of wider efforts to strengthen the armed forces. (State House Abuja)
Makinde, however, questioned whether adequate funding had been provided for the expansion.
“I was looking at the budget for 2026. I was looking for the item in that budget relating to the expansion of those army divisions. I did not see it.
“If they have it in the budget that they prepared for 2026, let them bring it out. So, you cannot just wake up and say, well, without any plan, I am setting up or expanding army divisions to tackle insecurity. There has to be a lot of planning that will go into this,” he said. (Vanguard News)
He argued that tackling insecurity would require more than announcing new military formations, saying proper planning, funding and operational preparation would be necessary.
Makinde compares federal and Oyo budget planning
The governor contrasted the Federal Government’s approach with the budget preparation process in Oyo State.
He said his administration had begun consultations with residents across the state’s geopolitical zones ahead of the 2027 budget. According to him, the consultations were intended to identify the priorities of residents before the spending plan is finalised.
Makinde also questioned whether increased allocations to state governments had translated into better living conditions for Nigerians.
“Yes, we have more money, but has it translated to fighting hunger in our society? The answer is no,” he said. (Vanguard News)
Governor raises concerns over Oyo’s federal allocation dependence
Makinde said Oyo State depended on federal allocations for more than 80 percent of its revenue when he became governor in 2019.
He said his administration reduced that dependence to about 65 percent by 2022 but claimed it had since risen to almost 80 percent.
“By 2023, when they came on board with their voodoo economy, the resultant effect is that today Oyo State is back to almost 80 per cent dependence on federal allocation. That is their voodoo economy,” Makinde said. (Vanguard News)
Makinde outlines proposed ‘Reset Nigeria’ agenda
Speaking about his presidential ambition, Makinde said his proposed “Reset Nigeria” agenda could be implemented within four years if elected.
He said the plan would focus on security, education, the economy and Nigeria’s wider socio-political environment.
“The reset agenda can be completed in four years. After all, we had someone who was head of state in this country for 10 months, and he was able to end military rule and usher in the democracy that we now enjoy in Nigeria,” he said. (Vanguard News)
Makinde also said an APM administration would establish a transitional government of national unity from May 29, 2027, which he said would eventually lead to “new players and a new agenda for Nigeria’s sustainable development.”
APM candidate speaks on proposed changes
The APM vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, said the party’s proposed reset was based on what he described as Nigerians’ desire for improvements in their living conditions.
“We don’t need to say that, for quite some time, people have been given the opportunity to rule this nation without really having an idea of how to fix it. I need to borrow a common phrase: it is always motion without movement. Ours is going to be motion with movement for the betterment of Nigerians and Nigeria,” Daura said. (Vanguard News)
He said the party’s approach would focus on sincerity, honesty, commitment and results, while identifying poverty and insecurity among the challenges facing the country.
Party chairman highlights North-Central challenges
APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle described the North-Central region as important to Nigeria’s unity and development.
He highlighted insecurity and poor roads among the challenges facing the region and also criticised the cost of petrol and electricity.
Dantalle urged Nigerians to hold the Federal Government accountable for its previous promises on electricity.
He also pointed to Oyo State as a basis for assessing Makinde’s record in government.
“Oyo State is your laboratory to evaluate the capability of our presidential candidates,” he said. (Vanguard News)
Dantalle said the APM’s proposed programme would include a new security structure, changes to the education system and an economy driven by data, science and logic.
The comments came as the party continues its engagement with residents and supporters across the North-Central ahead of the 2027 general election.
