Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Engr. Seyi Makinde has promised to introduce tax breaks for entrepreneurs if elected president in the 2027 general election.
He made the pledge on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the APM South-South town-hall meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as he outlined his plans to encourage business growth and job creation.
Makinde said the government alone could not provide the employment and economic expansion Nigeria needs, stressing that entrepreneurs must be supported to invest, establish businesses, and create jobs.
He cited his administration in Oyo State, claiming it increased internally generated revenue without raising taxes.
“We will ensure that we encourage entrepreneurs. We will ensure that people have tax breaks. And if you ask me whether we have done it before, yes, I did it in Oyo State. We increased Oyo State’s IGR without raising taxes on anybody. The records are there,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the federal government’s tax policy, Makinde argued that taxation should focus on wealth creation and economic capacity rather than deepen the difficulties of low-income households.
He said his proposed economic agenda would prioritise productivity, entrepreneurship, and economic expansion.
“You are supposed to tax wealth. You are not supposed to tax poverty. But they are only interested in taxing poverty,” he said.
Makinde further pledged to reform Nigeria’s education and security systems, saying economic growth depends on skills, knowledge, and a safer environment.
On security, the APM candidate acknowledged that militancy in the Niger Delta had declined to some extent but insisted that the problem remained unresolved.
He pledged that an APM administration would prioritise reforms to the country’s security architecture and pursue a comprehensive response to militancy and other threats to public safety.
Makinde also renewed his criticism of the federal government over Nigeria LNG dividend payments, alleging that nearly N250 billion due to each state had been withheld.
He maintained that revenue paid into the Federation Account should be distributed among the federal, state and local governments in accordance with the Constitution.
Makinde insisted that the government should disclose the relevant figures and clarify how the dividends had been treated, adding that he stood by his earlier claims.