The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has urged Nigerians to accept money offered by politicians during election campaigns but vote according to their conscience.

Makinde gave the advice on Saturday during the party’s campaign flag-off in Bauchi, where he promised to establish an inclusive government of national unity and reset Nigeria’s economy, security architecture and socio-political system if elected president.

Addressing supporters, the Oyo State governor warned voters against allowing financial inducements to determine their choices at the polls.

“Don’t bother at all when they bring money; it is your money. Collect it, spend it, but vote your heart. And I know your heart is with us and with APM,” he said.

Makinde identified hunger as Nigeria’s biggest challenge, pledging to prioritise economic recovery, security reforms and broader inclusion in governance.

He outlined three major areas requiring urgent attention: resetting the economy to tackle hunger, restructuring the security architecture to address insecurity and reforming the socio-political system to end the exclusion of Nigerians.

“Then there’s only one path for us. And the path is to reset Nigeria,” he said.

Also speaking, APM National Leader and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, said Makinde’s proposed government of national unity would promote equity, accommodate the country’s diversity and address ethnic and religious divisions.

Mohammed described Makinde as a performer with a record of achievements in Oyo State, adding that his support for the presidential candidate was based on his experience and capacity to deliver.

He said the party’s Reset Agenda was developed with contributions from consultants and experts to address Nigeria’s challenges, while public appointments under the proposed administration would reflect merit and equitable representation.

“There are over 100,000 positions to be filled, but they must not be occupied by one ethnic group alone or skewed in favour of one tribe.

“There must be balance and adherence to the principle of federal character, alongside merit-based appointments that ensure the right people are placed in the right positions,” Mohammed said.

He urged Makinde to ensure that Bauchi State and the North-East were not excluded from national opportunities if elected, insisting that the region deserved fairness and justice.

“Insha Allah, we assure you, Mr President, that Bauchi is with you. We stand with you. What we are asking for in return is justice when you become president,” he said.

Mohammed added that his alignment with the APM was motivated by his desire to bring Bauchi into the mainstream of national politics and secure greater opportunities for the state.

He also recalled what he described as the injustice he and Makinde suffered in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying they had found a political home in the APM.

The party’s vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, said the APM’s Reset Agenda would tackle dishonesty and hypocrisy in politics while promoting accountability in governance.

“The politics of deceit and hypocrisy are what are about to kill Nigerian democracy,” Daura said.

He added that the proposed administration would accommodate Nigerians regardless of their religion, ethnicity or background and involve them in developing a common national development plan.

Daura maintained that the party’s priority would be citizens’ welfare rather than personal enrichment, stressing that Nigerians’ well-being and national development would determine the success of its government.

Meanwhile, the APM National Chairman pledged to expand women’s participation in politics, disclosing that the party had established a dedicated directorate to promote their representation in governance.

He also said the party had engaged the National Assembly Joint Committee on the proposed special seats for women to advance female representation in the legislature.

While expressing regret that the proposal had not secured the required legislative backing, he commended Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, for initiating it.

The chairman urged women to support the party and hold its candidates accountable, assuring them of the APM’s commitment to expanding their participation in politics.