Nigeria’s opposition has not agreed on a joint candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027, and Oyo State Gov. Seyi Makinde says any choice should follow an assessment of the contenders.
Makinde is the Allied Peoples Movement’s (APM) presidential candidate. BusinessDay reported that he discussed the matter Friday with ARISE News anchor Ojy Okpe, saying talks involve former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate; Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate; and other opposition figures.
Makinde has not endorsed either contender. He said opposition leaders should compare the candidates’ proposals and records while considering voters’ views. He said he would work with Atiku if consultations found the former vice president best placed to lead a united ticket, adding, “I’m willing to work with any Nigerian.”
Makinde said the talks should focus on what serves Nigeria rather than any contender’s personal ambitions. He said opposition figures first need to agree on a course of action before pursuing an alliance to challenge Tinubu.
He pointed to Olu Falae’s 1999 campaign as a warning, saying strong South-West backing did not translate into a national win. Makinde cited the episode as a lesson for opposition politicians considering how to build support beyond one region.
The Independent National Electoral Commission lists Atiku and Obi on separate tickets for the Jan. 16, 2027, election, as EconoTimes previously covered in its account of the opposition’s separate tickets.
