Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has urged opposition parties to form an alliance and support the candidate with the best chance of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.
In a recent interview, Makinde confirmed that he is engaged in discussions regarding a potential opposition coalition and expressed his readiness to collaborate with either former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi, the candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, believing that data and public sentiment should guide the choice of a candidate rather than personal preferences.
“We’re still discussing,” Makinde stated, underlining the importance of basing decisions on evidence and the political landscape as the election approaches. He further explained that political dynamics could shift, allowing rivals to become collaborators depending on the circumstances.
Makinde acknowledged that the APM, the party he represents, has substantial backing from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and aims to leverage this support in the presidential race. He emphasized that despite the APM’s relative newness, it could still make an impact, citing the significant electoral gains of the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party in past elections.
Addressing the current government, Makinde criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu, particularly regarding the issue of electricity supply and the overall economic management. He argued that the country is underperforming and that reforms need to transcend incremental changes to achieve real progress.
He also expressed a commitment to transparency in fuel pricing, promising to provide a clear pricing structure should he be elected president, alleging corruption within the existing system. According to Makinde, understanding the components of fuel pricing is essential for the public and would form a critical priority in his administration’s agenda.
