2027: Seyi Makinde Says He Can Work With Peter Obi, Atiku But Rules Out Tinubu

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed willingness to work with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election, but ruled out any political alliance with President Bola Tinubu.

Makinde made the position known on Friday during an interview on Arise Television, where he discussed the possibility of opposition parties and political leaders working together to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election.

The governor, who is associated with the All Progressives Movement (APM) in the report, said he had held discussions with both Atiku and Obi, adding that engagements among opposition figures were continuing despite the limited time before the election.

“I have engagements with Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. Even with the little time left before the elections, we are not stopping, we are still discussing,” he said.

Makinde indicated that he would consider some form of political cooperation with either opposition leader if it could contribute to changing the direction of the country.

He also suggested that opposition figures should maintain cordial relationships, arguing that different political leaders could play important roles at different stages of efforts to bring about national change.

However, he drew a clear distinction between the opposition figures he was willing to engage and the incumbent president, insisting that Tinubu was not part of the alliance arrangement he was considering.

The governor maintained that Nigeria needed a new direction but said he did not believe such a change could be achieved through cooperation with the current administration.

His remarks come amid ongoing discussions among opposition politicians about possible alliances and strategies ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Whether the engagements with Atiku and Obi will produce a formal political agreement remains unclear.