Photo: An aerial view of Ibadan, Oyo State — Wikimedia Commons
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has confirmed that opposition leaders — including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi — are actively discussing an alliance to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde, who is himself the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, disclosed the talks in an interview with Arise News on Friday.
- Makinde says the opposition is "actively discussing" a united arrangement
- He is willing to work with Atiku or Obi if the data points to either man
- Consultations reportedly involve six opposition parties
What Makinde said about the alliance talks
"We're still discussing. Not only that I'm open, we're actively discussing this," Makinde said.
He declined to endorse either Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, or Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, as his preferred flagbearer, insisting the choice must be guided by evidence.
"To arrive at a decision, you need data," he said, pointing to manifestos, past performance in office and public sentiment.
Asked whether he would work with Atiku if consultations showed the former vice president was the strongest candidate, he replied: "Yes. I'm willing to work with any Nigerian."
Why a single opposition candidate matters
Makinde cited the 1999 presidential election, when Olu Falae's strong South-West support did not translate into national victory, as a lesson in why regional strength alone cannot win the presidency.
Reports of the consultations name six parties in the conversation: the ADC, APM, NDC, PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
"That negotiation will not be anything personal. That negotiation will be the deal for Nigeria, by Nigeria," Makinde said.
What happens next
The talks come three days before NTN publishes its Meet Your Candidates 2027 profile of Makinde himself, on Monday, November 16.
Whether the discussions produce one consensus candidate — and which of the three principals steps aside if they do — is now the central question of the opposition's 2027 strategy.
Read also: https://newstweetnaija.com/post/makinde-lists-four-reasons-he-is-challenging-tinubu-in-2027-pledges-one-term">Makinde lists four reasons he is challenging Tinubu in 2027
Credit: BusinessDay and Punch reports, November 13-14, 2026.
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