Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has confirmed that he is involved in ongoing discussions over a possible opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying he is willing to work with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or Labour Party’s Peter Obi if the arrangement offers a common path towards challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News Anchor Ojy Okpe, Makinde said consultations were ongoing despite the limited time before the election.
“We’re still discussing,” he said, adding that the talks were active and that he was open to working with other opposition leaders.
The governor declined to express a personal preference between Atiku and Obi, saying the decision should be based on evidence rather than emotions. He identified party manifestos, past political performance and public sentiment as factors that would guide the discussions.
Makinde, who has a background in the oil and gas industry, compared the possible alliance to business relationships in which competitors can become collaborators when circumstances require it.
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He said political figures could remain rivals, work together or even enter different arrangements depending on what emerges before the election.
Asked whether he was prepared to work with Atiku if available data identified the former vice president as the strongest candidate for an opposition alliance, Makinde replied in the affirmative.
“Yes. I’m willing to work with any Nigerian,” he said.
Makinde also referenced the 1999 presidential election, noting that Olu Falae secured significant support in the South-West but was unable to convert that regional backing into a national victory.
He said the opposition’s immediate challenge was to agree on the most suitable course of action before negotiating an alliance.
The governor also cited South Africa’s experience with political cooperation, arguing that competing political interests could reach an agreement when necessary.
According to him, any such negotiation should not be driven by personal interests but by what he described as a national interest.
“That negotiation will not be anything personal. That negotiation will be the deal for Nigeria, by Nigeria,” Makinde said.
The governor has repeatedly described the 2027 presidential contest as a choice between the APC and Nigerians dissatisfied with the country’s direction, maintaining that individual political ambitions should not prevent opposition leaders from developing a common electoral strategy.
