2027: Makinde Confirms Opposition Alliance Talks, Signals Readiness to Work With Atiku, Obi
BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has confirmed ongoing consultations among leading opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 presidential election, declaring his willingness to collaborate with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and other political stakeholders in pursuit of a common electoral strategy.
Makinde disclosed that discussions aimed at forging a broad-based opposition alliance were already underway, stressing that decisions on political partnerships and presidential candidacy would be guided by credible data, previous performance, policy proposals and public sentiment rather than personal ambitions.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE News anchor Ojy Okpe on Friday, the governor dismissed suggestions that he was merely considering the possibility of an alliance, insisting that active consultations were taking place.
“We’re still discussing,” Makinde said.
Asked whether he was open to working with other prominent opposition figures, he responded: “Not only that I’m open, we’re actively discussing this.”
The governor, however, declined to identify either Atiku or Obi as his preferred presidential candidate, maintaining that the opposition must undertake a comprehensive assessment before arriving at a collective decision.
“To arrive at a decision, you need data,” he 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.”
Drawing from his professional background in the oil and gas industry, Makinde explained that competition and cooperation were not mutually exclusive, noting that organisations operating within the same industry could collaborate when their interests aligned.
He suggested that a similar approach could guide political negotiations ahead of the 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 said.
Makinde Open to Atiku Alliance
When asked whether he would consider working with other political leaders to advance his campaign to “reset Nigeria,” the governor answered in the affirmative.
“To reset Nigeria, yes,” he declared.
Pressed further on whether he would support an alliance involving Atiku if available evidence indicated that the former vice-president was the candidate around whom the opposition should unite, Makinde responded: “Yes.”
“I’m willing to work with any Nigerian,” he added.
The governor cited the 1999 presidential election, during which Olu Falae enjoyed substantial support in the South-West but failed to secure victory nationally, as an illustration of the limitations of regional political strength without broader national acceptance.
According to him, opposition leaders must first establish a shared understanding of the political direction required before negotiating alliances.
“Our biggest challenge is, first, to agree on what is the best course of action, and then seek an alliance,” he explained.
Makinde also referenced South Africa’s experience with political cooperation, arguing that rival political interests could negotiate workable arrangements when broader national considerations demanded compromise.
He maintained that any agreement among opposition leaders must be anchored on national interest rather than individual political calculations.
“That negotiation will not be anything personal,” he said. “That negotiation will be the deal for Nigeria, by Nigeria.”
Opposition Parties Intensify Coalition Consultations
Makinde’s remarks come amid renewed efforts by opposition leaders to explore a common political platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The consultations involve several prominent political figures and parties seeking to reconcile competing ambitions and develop an electoral arrangement against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) emerged in July 2025 as a major platform for opposition collaboration, attracting politicians interested in presenting a coordinated challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar formally joined the ADC in November 2025, while Peter Obi followed on December 31 of the same year.
The party subsequently initiated discussions aimed at bringing former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and his political movement into the arrangement.
However, disagreements over the allocation of presidential and vice-presidential tickets, alongside other political considerations, complicated the negotiations.
In May 2026, Obi and Kwankwaso left the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where they emerged as presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively.
Although the ADC acknowledged their departure as a setback, the party maintained that the development would not derail its preparations for the 2027 elections.
Despite the emergence of separate political platforms, consultations among opposition leaders have continued, with discussions extending beyond individual party structures.
The objective, according to those involved in the negotiations, is to explore the possibility of a common presidential candidate or an electoral arrangement that accommodates the interests of participating parties.
Six Opposition Parties Explore Common Presidential Ticket
Reports published on October 15, 2026, indicated that six opposition parties were participating in discussions aimed at producing a common presidential candidate.
The parties identified were the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
Prominent politicians associated with the consultations included Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, Seyi Makinde of the APM, Peter Obi of the NDC, Adewole Adebayo of the SDP and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke of the PRP.
The discussions reportedly followed resolutions reached at the G-100 opposition summit, where participants considered strategies for strengthening cooperation and addressing disagreements among opposition stakeholders.
Central to the negotiations are questions surrounding presidential candidacy, political representation, party structures and the terms under which participating groups could support a common electoral arrangement.
However, no consensus presidential candidate had been announced as of the October 15 report.
Makinde’s latest comments indicate that consultations remain ongoing, although the participating leaders have yet to publicly announce a final agreement.
Wike’s Rainbow Coalition Backs Tinubu
Alongside the opposition alliance discussions, another political arrangement known as the Rainbow Coalition has emerged under the influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Unlike the opposition coalition seeking a common platform against the APC, the Rainbow Coalition is primarily focused on mobilising support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The arrangement operates as a cross-party political alliance rather than a formal merger of participating political parties.
Under the framework, members may support Tinubu’s presidential candidacy while maintaining their individual party affiliations and backing candidates from different political platforms in governorship and legislative elections.
In Rivers State, parties identified as participating in the arrangement include the APC, PDP, Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Action Alliance and Allied Peoples Movement.
The emergence of these parallel political arrangements highlights the evolving nature of alliances ahead of the 2027 elections, as political leaders negotiate relationships that may extend beyond traditional party boundaries.
For Makinde, the immediate priority remains reaching an agreement on the direction of opposition cooperation before determining the individuals who will occupy specific positions within any proposed alliance.
His declaration that he is prepared to work with Atiku, Obi or other political figures underscores his stated preference for negotiations driven by policy considerations, electoral data and national interest rather than personal political rivalry.
With consultations still underway, the composition, leadership and presidential ticket of any proposed opposition alliance remain unresolved.
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