APM Chieftain Reacts to Makinde’s Physical Fitness Comment, Says Tinubu Is Not His Age Mate

According to a report by DAILY POST published on Saturday, October 24, 2026, Alhaji Bisi Olopoeyan, a chieftain of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his recent remarks about the physical fitness of presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Olopoeyan accused Makinde of acting immaturely, arguing that physical strength and the ability to perform certain activities should not be used as the primary criteria for assessing a candidate’s suitability for Nigeria’s highest political office.

His reaction followed Makinde’s participation in a town hall meeting in Akure, Ondo State, where the governor reportedly jumped down from the stage and challenged Nigerians to support presidential candidates who possessed the physical energy to perform a similar feat.

However, the APM chieftain questioned the relevance of the demonstration, asking whether the ability to jump from a stage had any meaningful connection with effective governance.

In a video addressing the issue, Olopoeyan also compared the ages of Makinde and President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the two politicians belonged to different age groups.

“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?” he said.

The APM chieftain further argued that Makinde’s comments failed to take into account the age difference between the Oyo governor and the President.

He claimed that Tinubu’s firstborn child was older than Makinde, using the comparison to question the governor’s emphasis on physical performance when discussing presidential leadership.

Olopoeyan also challenged the idea that Tinubu should demonstrate his physical strength by jumping from a stage to establish his fitness for office.

According to him, the presidency should not be treated like a sporting arena where candidates are expected to compete in activities associated with wrestling or boxing.

He maintained that the responsibilities of a president extend far beyond physical demonstrations and should instead be assessed through leadership ability, policy direction and the capacity to govern the country effectively.

Olopoeyan also accused Makinde of frequently mentioning Tinubu during political discussions instead of clearly explaining the policies and programmes he would offer Nigerians.

He urged the Oyo governor to concentrate on presenting his own ideas for addressing the country’s challenges rather than making repeated references to the President.

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

The remarks reflect the growing political exchanges among prominent figures as parties and potential contenders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

With discussions increasingly focusing on candidates’ leadership qualities, campaign strategies and suitability for public office, the disagreement between Olopoeyan and Makinde has added another dimension to the emerging political debate.

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