Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has thrown his weight behind Seyi Makinde’s bid for the presidency in 2027, declaring that the Oyo State governor is qualified to lead Nigeria.
Obi made the statement on Monday at the inauguration of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential campaign office in Abuja, where he appeared alongside prominent members of the party and supporters of Makinde’s presidential bid.
The appearance by Obi came as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather momentum.
Makinde is contesting the presidency on the platform of the APM, while Obi is seeking the same office under the NDC.
Speaking at the event, Obi said the country needed political leaders to move beyond personal disagreements and focus on issues affecting Nigerians.
He specifically acknowledged Makinde’s presidential ambition and said he had no doubt about the governor’s qualification to seek the highest political office in the country.
“We want a Nigeria of unity, inclusion; we have a candidate who is contesting for President today, my dear brother Makinde. Is he qualified to be President? Yes, he is qualified.
“What we are doing today, for us is not about desperation but we want Nigerians to make their choice. All of us should come together to build a new Nigeria. We can’t continue the way we are going, our people are hungry and poor.
“Whoever wins genuinely from a free, fair, and credible election, we will all work together to save this country from collapse,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor also called for a different approach to Nigerian politics.
He said political competition should not prevent politicians from working together when the interest of the country is at stake.
According to him, the priority of politicians should be to improve the living conditions of Nigerians rather than engage in endless political disputes.
“That’s why I’m here to show solidarity and assure you that we are changing the system, we don’t want politics of quarrel, politics of disagreement. Let our quarrel be to feed our people, we want a Nigeria where the child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody,” he added.
However, Obi endorsement of Makinde’s qualification, did not amount to a withdrawal of his own presidential ambition.
Both politicians are currently listed as presidential candidates of different political platforms ahead of the election.
Makinde formally entered the 2027 presidential race in May after declaring his ambition under the APM platform.
He later emerged as the party’s presidential candidate after its primary election in Ibadan.
The Oyo governor has presented his campaign as an attempt to “reset Nigeria”, with emphasis on governance, economic reforms, security and improved public services.
The APM has also positioned Makinde as an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 poll.
Makinde is expected to contest the election alongside his running mate, former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Musa Daura.
The choice of Daura has placed security at the centre of the APM’s presidential campaign. The party has repeatedly linked his experience in national security to its promise of tackling insecurity across the country.
At Monday’s event, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who is a national leader of the APM, also defended Makinde’s presidential bid.
Mohammed urged political opponents and Nigerians not to underestimate the party’s chances in the 2027 election.
“Whoever disregards us is at his own peril, we are here to reset Nigeria and we are bringing in one of the best human capitals that Nigeria has ever produced at the sub-national and national level, that is Makinde,” Mohammed said.
He also praised Makinde’s record as governor of Oyo State and argued that his experience at the state level had prepared him for a national leadership role.
Mohammed said, “The beauty of having a good party is to have a good leader; the chairman of the party is an erudite young person who is also leading older political parties in Nigeria as the chairman of IPAC.
The APM leader further described Makinde as a capable administrator with experience in managing resources and delivering infrastructure projects.
