APM Chieftain Calls Makinde Childish, Says Tinubu Is Not His Age Mate

A chieftain of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Alhaji Bisi Olopoeyan, has criticised Oyo State Governor and the party’s presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, describing his conduct during a political gathering in Akure, Ondo State, as childish.

Olopoeyan faulted Makinde’s decision to jump down from a stage while challenging Nigerians to vote for presidential candidates who possess the physical strength and energy required to lead the country.

Makinde had made the demonstration during the APM South-West town hall meeting in Akure, where he urged Nigerians to consider the physical fitness and stamina of candidates ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The governor challenged other presidential contenders to demonstrate similar agility, telling the audience to vote for them if they could perform the same feat.

However, Olopoeyan questioned the relevance of such a demonstration to effective governance, arguing that physical agility alone could not determine a candidate’s capacity to lead the country.

Speaking in a video that circulated online, the APM chieftain also compared Makinde’s age with that of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the two politicians were not age mates.

“ 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 further argued that Tinubu was considerably older than the Oyo governor, adding that the president’s first child was older than Makinde.

Olopoeyan questioned whether the presidency required physical stunts such as jumping from a stage, wrestling or boxing, rather than the experience and judgment needed to govern Nigeria.

He also accused Makinde of focusing too much on Tinubu during his campaign instead of clearly explaining his own plans and policy proposals to Nigerians.

“There is no campaign he can do other than name-dropping Tinubu; he should tell us what he can do,” he said.

The APM chieftain’s comments followed Makinde’s call for presidential candidates to demonstrate that they could withstand the physical demands of the office.

Makinde had maintained that his campaign would focus on energy and stamina rather than making age the central issue in the 2027 presidential contest.

The disagreement highlights emerging tensions within the APM as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.