Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has confirmed that consultations are ongoing among opposition political leaders to form a possible alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election, declaring his willingness to work with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, or any other Nigerian capable of advancing a common opposition agenda.
Makinde said the discussions were aimed at identifying the most viable political arrangement to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that decisions concerning alliances and presidential candidates should be based on evidence, political realities and the interests of Nigerians rather than personal ambitions.
The governor made the disclosure during an interview with ARISE News anchor Ojy Okpe on Friday, where he addressed questions about the possibility of opposition parties and leading politicians coming together to present a common challenge against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Asked about the status of consultations among opposition figures, Makinde confirmed that discussions were ongoing.
“We’re still discussing,” he stated.
When pressed on whether he was open to forming an alliance with other prominent opposition politicians, the governor explained that his involvement had gone beyond merely expressing willingness to cooperate.
“Not only that I’m open, we’re actively discussing this,” Makinde declared.
He, however, declined to identify Atiku or Obi as his preferred presidential candidate, insisting that the eventual decision must emerge from careful consideration of the available political data.
According to him, the opposition must examine the manifestos of potential candidates, their records of performance and the sentiments of Nigerians before determining the most suitable arrangement.
“To arrive at a decision, you need data,” the governor explained.
He further stated: “We just won’t say, ‘Oh, okay,’ take emotional decision and say, ‘Oh, it’s you.’ We have manifestos now, we have certain things in that manifesto.
“We will sit down, we have maybe historical performance. We also have the sentiment of the people. All of those things will come together and arrive at a decision.”
Makinde maintained that political negotiations should not be driven by the personal preferences of individuals seeking elective positions but by an assessment of the arrangement most likely to achieve the opposition’s objectives.
Drawing from his experience in the oil and gas industry, the governor explained that competing interests did not necessarily prevent individuals or organisations from cooperating when circumstances demanded it.
He observed that companies operating within the same industry could compete against one another, collaborate on projects or enter into commercial relationships depending on their circumstances.
Makinde said a similar approach could apply to political relationships ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“Depending on what we see between now and the election time, we may be rivals, we may be collaborators, we may be — one may be the client of the other,” he stated.
The governor’s remarks suggested that the outcome of the ongoing consultations could determine whether leading opposition figures eventually contest against one another or cooperate under a common political arrangement.
Asked specifically whether he was prepared to work with other politicians in pursuit of his campaign to “reset Nigeria,” Makinde responded in the affirmative.
“To reset Nigeria, yes,” he said.
Okpe subsequently asked whether the governor would be willing to work with Atiku if an assessment of the political situation established that the former vice president was the strongest candidate around whom the opposition should unite.
Makinde answered, “Yes.”
He added: “I’m willing to work with any Nigerian.”
The governor stressed that the challenge confronting opposition politicians was not simply finding individuals willing to collaborate but first determining the most effective political strategy.
He cited the 1999 presidential election, when Olu Falae enjoyed considerable support in the South-West but failed to translate his regional popularity into a nationwide electoral victory.
Makinde used the example to explain why opposition leaders must assess the national electoral landscape rather than rely exclusively on regional support or individual political popularity.
“Our biggest challenge is, first, to agree on what is the best course of action, and then seek an alliance,” he stated.
The governor also referred to South Africa’s experience with political cooperation, arguing that rival political interests could negotiate arrangements capable of addressing broader national objectives.
He maintained that opposition negotiations must be focused on Nigeria’s political future rather than personal calculations or the ambitions of individual politicians.
“That negotiation will not be anything personal,” Makinde declared.
“That negotiation will be the deal for Nigeria, by Nigeria.”
His remarks came amid continuing consultations among opposition leaders seeking a political platform capable of presenting a united challenge to the APC in the 2027 presidential election.
The discussions have involved politicians across several political parties, with disagreements over presidential and vice-presidential candidacies emerging as major considerations in efforts to establish a common front.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) emerged in July 2025 as a platform adopted by opposition politicians seeking to challenge Tinubu’s re-election.
The arrangement attracted prominent political figures, including Atiku, who joined the ADC in November 2025, and Obi, who joined on December 31, 2025.
The ADC subsequently sought to bring former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and his political movement into the opposition arrangement.
However, differences over the allocation of the presidential and vice-presidential tickets, alongside other political considerations, complicated negotiations within the coalition.
In May 2026, Obi and Kwankwaso left the ADC and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where they emerged as presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively.
The ADC acknowledged that their departure represented a setback but maintained that it would not prevent the party from pursuing its 2027 electoral ambitions.
Despite the development, consultations among opposition politicians continued beyond the ADC as different political groups explored the possibility of presenting a single presidential candidate against the ruling party.
By October 15, 2026, six opposition political parties had been identified as participating in discussions aimed at reaching an agreement on a common presidential candidacy.
The parties were the ADC, Allied Peoples Movement (APM), NDC, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
Prominent politicians associated with the discussions included Atiku of the ADC, Makinde of the APM, Obi of the NDC, Adewole Adebayo of the SDP and Donald Duke of the PRP.
The consultations followed resolutions reached at the G-100 opposition summit, where efforts were directed towards reconciling competing political interests and identifying a common candidate or platform for the 2027 presidential contest.
However, no consensus presidential candidate had been announced as of the October 15 report, and Makinde’s latest comments indicate that consultations remain ongoing.
The discussions are taking place alongside a separate political initiative known as the Rainbow Coalition, promoted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Unlike the opposition coalition seeking to challenge Tinubu, Wike’s Rainbow Coalition is designed primarily to mobilise support for the president’s re-election in 2027.
The arrangement operates across party lines rather than through a formal merger of political parties.
Under the arrangement, participating politicians and parties may support Tinubu for president while backing candidates from different political parties in governorship and legislative elections.
In Rivers State, six political parties were identified as participating in the arrangement, including the APC, PDP, Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Action Alliance and APM.
The existence of the two separate political projects reflects competing efforts to build alliances ahead of the next presidential election, with one seeking to unite opposition forces against Tinubu and the other mobilising cross-party support for his continuation in office.
Makinde’s latest declaration, however, focused on the opposition’s search for an arrangement capable of challenging the APC.
He maintained that the ultimate decision should emerge from a careful assessment of electoral prospects, candidates’ records, policy proposals and public sentiment.
While confirming his willingness to collaborate with Atiku, Obi or other political figures, the governor stopped short of endorsing any particular candidate or announcing a concluded alliance.
Instead, he insisted that the first task was to identify the best course of action before determining the nature of the political cooperation required.
His comments reinforce the continuing uncertainty over the shape of the opposition ahead of 2027, particularly as leading politicians and parties attempt to reconcile competing ambitions with the objective of presenting a formidable electoral challenge.
For Makinde, the essential consideration remains reaching an agreement that prioritises what he described as a deal for Nigeria, rather than an arrangement driven by personal political interests.
Post Title: “We’re Actively Discussing This” — Makinde Reveals Ongoing Talks With Opposition Leaders, Open To Backing Atiku Or Obi In 2027 By Naijaonpoint.