Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Seyi Makinde, has expressed readiness to form a political alliance with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde said ongoing discussions with the two opposition politicians could result in political collaboration or rivalry, depending on the prevailing circumstances and negotiations before the election.
The governor disclosed this during an interview with Arise Television, aired on Friday.
He said he had held engagements with Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential hopeful, and Obi, adding that discussions were still ongoing despite the limited time before the next general election.
“I’ve had engagement with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. I’ve had engagement with H.E. Peter Obi,” Makinde said.
“And I said, look, this is our country. And I still believe that even with this little time before the election proper, we’re not stopping. We’re still discussing.”
The governor explained that the discussions could produce different political arrangements, including an alliance in which one of the politicians might support another’s presidential ambition.
“Depending on what we see between now and the election time, we may be rivals; we may be collaborators. One may be the client of the other,” he said.
Asked whether he was willing to work with other opposition figures to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress, Makinde said his priority was to help reposition the country.
“To reset Nigeria, yes,” he responded.
On whether he would prefer an alliance with Atiku or Obi, the governor said any decision would be based on facts, political calculations and the views of Nigerians rather than personal sentiments.
“To arrive at a decision, you need data. We just won’t take an emotional decision and say, ‘oh, it’s you’,” he said.
“We also have, you know, the sentiment from the people; all of those things you put together and arrive at the best approach.”
Makinde also endorsed Obi’s presidential credentials, agreeing that the former Anambra governor was qualified to lead Nigeria when asked about his suitability for the presidency.
He further declared his willingness to work with politicians across party lines, including members of the ruling APC.
“I’m willing to work with any Nigerian, even if you’re in the APC,” he said.
However, the Oyo governor appeared less enthusiastic about a possible political partnership with President Bola Tinubu, citing an unresolved disagreement over an earlier agreement between them.
Makinde alleged that Tinubu had failed to honour an agreement they signed, adding that his experience could influence his willingness to work with the President.
“Well, he is… but I’ve had a certain experience with him, where agreement was signed and he didn’t keep to it. I’ve not had that issue with maybe former VP Atiku Abubakar or H.E. Peter Obi,” he said.
Makinde’s remarks come as opposition politicians begin positioning themselves and exploring possible alliances ahead of the 2027 general election.