Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has pledged tax relief for entrepreneurs if elected president in 2027, while renewing his allegation that the Federal Government has failed to remit states’ and local governments’ shares of Nigeria LNG dividend payments.
Makinde made the promises on Tuesday at the APM South-South Town Hall meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he presented his RESET agenda as a framework for economic growth, entrepreneurship and political reform.
The Oyo State governor accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of placing a heavier tax burden on poor Nigerians rather than taxing wealth, arguing that the country’s fiscal policies should reward productivity and encourage businesses to expand.
He said his administration had increased Oyo State’s internally generated revenue without raising taxes, adding that the experience informed his plan to offer tax breaks to entrepreneurs nationwide.
Makinde said government alone could not generate the employment and economic expansion Nigeria needed, stressing that private-sector investment and risk-taking were essential to economic development.
He also criticised the Federal Government’s tax law, arguing that taxation should focus on wealth rather than poverty.
On the disputed Nigeria LNG dividends, the APM candidate maintained that the Federal Government had been spending dividend payments into the Federation Account without properly distributing the shares due to state and local governments.
Makinde said he stood by his earlier claim that almost ₦250bn was due to each state from the payments, insisting that records and documents supported his position.
He challenged the Federal Government to disclose the amounts involved and account for the funds, arguing that revenue paid into the Federation Account should be shared among the three tiers of government in accordance with the Constitution.
He said, “I said the Federal Government has withheld almost ₦250bn due to each state from Nigeria LNG dividend payments. Rather than come out and tell us what has been happening to dividends paid by Nigeria LNG, they said, ‘No, Governor Makinde, you be careful. You should not say things that are not true.’
“I stand by what I have said. The records are there. The papers are there. I did not say it was a one-off payment that is due to the states.
“They should listen, and listen very carefully. What I said is that, over the years, including during this administration, the Federal Government has been spending alone the dividends paid by Nigeria LNG into the Federation Account.
“Anything that goes into the Federation Account, according to our Constitution, should be shared between the Federal Government, state governments and local governments. Let them provide the amounts meant for the states and local governments in Nigeria.”
The allegation comes amid debate over revenue distribution and the management of funds accruing to the Federation Account. Makinde did not provide a breakdown of the claimed amounts at the town hall meeting.
The APM presidential candidate also said his RESET agenda would restore the federal structure envisaged by Nigeria’s founding fathers, alongside reforms to the economy and political system.
The party’s national leader and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, urged Nigerians, particularly youths and women, to assess candidates based on their records and competence rather than money or age.
Mohammed described Makinde as a candidate with the experience, knowledge and vision to address the country’s challenges. He also welcomed the reception the party received in the South-South, saying it reflected support for its ambition to build a new Nigeria.
The party’s vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, said the RESET agenda would focus on education, economic recovery, security and citizens’ welfare.
Daura said the party intended to break what he described as Nigeria’s recurring cycle of stagnation and ensure that citizens could live with dignity.
The meeting was attended by members of the APM National Working Committee and delegates from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Cross River and Bayelsa states.
The party had previously held town hall meetings in the North-Central, North-West and North-East regions.
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