A chieftain of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Bisi Olopoeyan, has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his decision to jump off a stage at a political gathering in Akure, Ondo State, questioning the relevance of the display to governance.

Olopoeyan described the action as childish, asking whether jumping from a stage was a meaningful measure of a candidate’s ability to lead the country.

Makinde, who is seeking the presidency in the 2027 general election on the APM platform, performed the stunt on Thursday during the party’s South-West Presidential Campaign Town Hall Meeting at the Ondo State International Conference Centre, popularly known as The Dome, in Akure.

The governor used the demonstration to emphasise the importance of energy and stamina in presidential leadership, challenging other candidates to replicate the feat.

“While I will not make age an issue of this campaign, I will make energy, having energy, being able to stay up late, have the rigours, have the energy to deal with the challenges that we’re faced with as a country,” Makinde said.

He added that rival candidates should also jump off the stage, telling supporters to vote for them if they could do so. The demonstration drew cheers from attendees.

However, Olopoeyan questioned whether the physical display demonstrated the qualities required to govern Nigeria, arguing that political leaders should be assessed on their policies, performance and ability to address the country’s challenges rather than theatrical gestures.

The criticism comes as political parties and their candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with debates over leadership capacity, economic management and national development expected to feature prominently in their campaigns.

At the town hall, Makinde also presented the APM’s four-point agenda under its “RESET Nigeria” platform, which focuses on the economy, education, security and socio-political development.

He defended his decision to contest against President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the South-West could present more than one presidential candidate, as it did in 1999 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae contested the election.

Makinde also criticised the Tinubu administration over economic challenges, including electricity supply and fluctuations in petroleum prices.

Olopoeyan’s criticism adds to the political debate surrounding Makinde’s presidential ambition and the methods candidates use to communicate their fitness for office.

While Makinde has presented the stage jump as a demonstration of stamina, Olopoeyan’s objection centres on whether such displays offer a meaningful measure of leadership and governance.

The focus now shifts to how candidates articulate their policy proposals and demonstrate their capacity to address Nigeria’s economic, security and social challenges ahead of the 2027 election.