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Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared his readiness to work with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar or Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, under a possible opposition alliance to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Makinde disclosed that discussions among opposition leaders were ongoing, stressing that he was prepared to support whichever arrangement offered the strongest chance of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor spoke in an interview with ARISE News anchor, Ojy Okpe, where he dismissed suggestions that his willingness to work with other opposition figures was merely an expression of political openness.
“Not only that I’m open, we’re actively discussing this,” he said.
Asked whether he preferred an alliance with Atiku or Obi, Makinde said the decision should be based on clear evidence rather than personal sentiments or political loyalty.
“To arrive at a decision, you need data,” he said.
He explained that opposition leaders would have to consider their manifestos, previous records in public office and the mood of Nigerians before deciding who should lead a joint effort.
“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,” he said.
Using his experience in the oil and gas industry to explain the proposed alliance, Makinde said political opponents could become partners when their interests and strengths aligned.
He noted that companies in the same industry sometimes compete, collaborate or enter business relationships depending on what would deliver the desired result.
Applying the analogy to the 2027 presidential contest, he said: “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.”
When Okpe asked whether he was prepared to work with other opposition leaders to achieve his proposed agenda to “reset Nigeria”, Makinde answered: “To reset Nigeria, yes.”
Asked specifically if he would support Atiku should available evidence show that the former vice-president was the strongest candidate for an opposition alliance, the governor replied: “Yes. I’m willing to work with any Nigerian.”
Makinde also recalled the 1999 presidential election, when Olu Falae secured strong support in the South-West but failed to translate his regional popularity into a national victory.
He said opposition figures must first agree on the most effective political strategy before negotiating an alliance.
“Our biggest challenge is, first, to agree on what is the best course of action, and then seek an alliance,” he said.
The governor cited South Africa’s experience of political cooperation as an example of how competing political interests could reach an agreement when circumstances demanded it.
“That negotiation will not be anything personal. That negotiation will be the deal for Nigeria, by Nigeria,” he said.
Makinde maintained that personal presidential ambitions should not stand in the way of opposition leaders agreeing on a common strategy ahead of the 2027 election.
