Alhaji Bisi Olopoeyan, a chieftain of the Allied Peoples Movement, has criticised the party’s presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, over comments suggesting Nigerians should elect only physically energetic candidates.
Olopoeyan said Makinde was acting immaturely after the candidate’s appearance at an APM town hall gathering in Akure, Ondo State. At the event, Makinde leapt from the platform and urged voters to support contenders capable of doing the same.
Quick facts
- APM leader Alhaji Bisi Olopoeyan criticised presidential candidate Seyi Makinde.
- The dispute followed Makinde’s call for voters to back physically strong and energetic candidates.
- Makinde jumped from a stage during an APM town hall meeting in Akure, Ondo State.
- Olopoeyan argued that physical displays are not a measure of governing ability.
- He said Makinde should set out his own plans rather than repeatedly referring to Tinubu.
Questioning the relevance of the stunt, Olopoeyan asked whether Makinde expected to become younger over time and whether the Oyo State governor viewed the presidency as a boxing or wrestling contest at the Presidential Villa.
In a video, the APM figure stressed that Tinubu was not Makinde’s contemporary and said Tinubu’s eldest child was older than Makinde. He argued that jumping from a stage had no bearing on the ability to govern.
“Seyi Makinde sometimes behaves like a child. Is jumping how governance is carried out?” Olopoeyan said. “Is Tinubu the same age as Seyi Makinde, and will Makinde himself not become old?”
He added: “Tinubu’s firstborn is older than Makinde. Is jumping what is needed for governance? You jumped from the stage; are you preparing for wrestling or boxing? Should they now ask Tinubu to come and jump?”
Olopoeyan said Makinde had no campaign message beyond mentioning Tinubu’s name and should instead explain what he would deliver. He also asked whether Makinde’s father, if still alive, would have been able to make the same jump.
