Allied Peoples Movement (APM) chieftain, Bisi Olopoeyan, has criticised the party’s presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, over his comments on physical fitness and leadership, accusing him of relying on President Bola Tinubu’s name instead of presenting his policy proposals to Nigerians.
Olopoeyan made the remarks while reacting to Makinde’s call for Nigerians to support presidential candidates who possess the energy and physical strength required to lead the country.
According to reports, Makinde made the statement during an APM town hall meeting in Akure, Ondo State, where he jumped down from the stage and challenged Nigerians to support candidates who could demonstrate similar physical stamina.
The gesture, which drew attention online, has since attracted criticism from Olopoeyan, who questioned the relevance of physical displays to effective governance.
Olopoeyan Questions Makinde’s Leadership Approach
In a video circulating online, the APM chieftain described Makinde’s conduct as childish and questioned whether jumping from a stage was a meaningful measure of a presidential candidate’s ability to govern.
Olopoeyan also raised questions about age and physical strength, arguing that candidates should be assessed on their capacity to lead rather than their ability to perform physical stunts.
He said: “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?
“Tinubu’s firstborn is older than Makinde, is it jumping they use in governance?
“You jumped from the stage, are you planning to fight wrestling or boxing? So they should call Tinubu to come and jump?
“There is no campaign he can do other than name-dropping Tinubu, he should tell us what he can do. If Makinde’s father were alive, could he jump like that?”
APM Chieftain Challenges Makinde to Present His Plans
Olopoeyan’s criticism centred on what he described as Makinde’s failure to communicate a clear policy agenda beyond references to Tinubu and demonstrations of physical strength.
He argued that the presidential candidate should explain what he intends to achieve if elected, rather than focusing on comparisons involving age and physical fitness.
His remarks have added another dimension to the political debate surrounding candidates’ suitability for the presidency, particularly the balance between physical capacity, leadership experience, policy proposals and the ability to address Nigerians’ concerns.
Physical Fitness and Governance Debate
Makinde’s challenge has drawn attention to the question of whether physical fitness should be a significant consideration when evaluating presidential candidates.
While physical health can be relevant to the demands of public office, Olopoeyan argued that jumping from a stage does not demonstrate the ability to govern effectively.
His comments also brought President Tinubu into the debate, with the APM chieftain questioning why the incumbent president should be expected to participate in a similar physical display.
The exchange underscores the increasingly personal nature of political disagreements as public figures debate leadership qualities and campaign strategies ahead of the 2027 election.
However, beyond the exchange of criticisms, voters will ultimately assess candidates based on their policy proposals, leadership records, credibility and plans for addressing the country’s economic and social challenges.