Breaking: Peter Obi Endorses Makinde’s Presidential Ambition, Says ‘He Is Qualified To Be President’
By Aliyu Oyewole
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has thrown his weight behind the presidential ambition of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, declaring that the governor is qualified to become Nigeria’s president.
Obi made the remarks on Monday while attending the unveiling of Makinde’s presidential campaign office in Abuja, signalling a significant moment in the opposition camp ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking about Makinde’s candidacy, Obi said:
“We have a candidate who is contesting for president, my dear brother Makinde. Is he qualified to be president? Yes, he is qualified.”
Makinde is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), while Obi is the standard-bearer of the NDC for the 2027 presidential election. The two men were formally affirmed as candidates of their respective parties earlier this year.
Obi’s appearance at Makinde’s campaign office unveiling is particularly significant given the intense political realignment among opposition forces ahead of the 2027 election.
Makinde formally entered the presidential race in May, declaring his intention to seek the presidency and presenting what he described as a programme focused on rebuilding Nigeria through practical reforms, transparent governance and people-centred leadership.
The latest development also comes against the backdrop of previous engagements between Obi and Makinde over efforts to build a stronger opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
In April, Obi had visited Makinde in Ibadan as part of consultations around the emerging opposition coalition and efforts to produce a political alternative capable of challenging the ruling establishment.
Obi’s public declaration that Makinde is qualified to become president could further fuel speculation about the possibility of deeper cooperation between the two presidential candidates as the 2027 contest gathers momentum.
Makinde, a two-term governor of Oyo State and an engineer, has positioned his presidential campaign around economic reform, institutional restructuring, food security, improved governance and national unity.
With both Obi and Makinde now occupying prominent positions in the opposition presidential race, Monday’s appearance has added another layer to the rapidly shifting political landscape ahead of the 2027 election.
