Makinde: I’m Open to Collaboration With Atiku, Obi

Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo state and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), says he is open to a possible collaboration with Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Makinde noted that they could either become rivals or work together, depending on the outcome of ongoing discussions and political circumstances before the election.

He spoke in an interview with Arise Television, aired on Friday.

“I’ve had engagement with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. I’ve had engagement with H.E. Peter Obi,” he 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 said the discussions could lead to different political outcomes, adding that no possibility has been ruled out.

“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 is open to an alliance with other opposition politicians, Makinde said such a move would be driven by the desire to reset the country.

“To reset Nigeria, yes,” he said.

Asked whether he would prefer to work with Atiku or Obi, the governor said a decision would require an assessment of available information and public sentiment.

“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 described Obi as qualified to become Nigeria’s president, agreeing when asked whether he shared the former Anambra governor’s assessment of his presidential credentials.

Asked if he would work with Obi if the opportunity arose, Makinde said he was open to collaborating with Nigerians across political divides.

“I’m willing to work with any Nigerian, even if you’re in the APC,” he said.

However, when asked specifically about joining forces with President Bola Tinubu, the governor said his previous experience with the nation’s leader could affect their ability to work together.

“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.