By Naheem Olaoye
A fresh political alignment appears to be taking shape ahead of the 2027 presidential election as former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, on Monday attended the inauguration of the presidential campaign office of Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, in Abuja.
Obi’s appearance at the commissioning of the Makinde/Daura 2027 campaign headquarters has generated fresh attention within opposition political circles, coming at a time when several opposition figures are positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
Speaking at the event, Obi described Makinde as qualified to aspire to the presidency, stressing that the focus of the 2027 election should be on rescuing Nigeria from poverty, hunger and insecurity rather than personal political ambitions.
“We have a candidate who is contesting for President today, my dear brother Makinde. Is he qualified to be President? Yes, he is qualified,” Obi said.
The former Anambra governor also called for unity among political leaders and Nigerians, saying whoever emerges victorious through a free, fair and credible election should receive the support of other political actors to move the country forward.
According to Obi, the country cannot continue on its current trajectory, noting that Nigerians are grappling with poverty, hunger and insecurity.
He said the ultimate objective should be to improve the living conditions of citizens and build a Nigeria where opportunities are not determined by political connections.
“We can’t all continue the way we are going today. Our people are hungry. Our people are poor. Our people are insecure. Whoever wins, genuinely, from a free, fair and credible election, we all want to work together to save this country from collapse,” Obi said.
Makinde, who is seeking the presidency on the platform of the APM, inaugurated his campaign headquarters in Abuja as part of preparations for the 2027 election.
The event was attended by senior APM figures, including Bauchi State Governor and APM national leader, Bala Mohammed, as well as other political stakeholders.
Obi’s presence at the APM campaign office is likely to fuel further speculation about the direction of opposition politics ahead of the 2027 presidential election, particularly amid calls for opposition politicians to unite around a common agenda.
However, Obi maintained that the priority should not be personal political calculations but the collective interest of Nigerians.
He said politicians should change the nature of political competition by making poverty reduction, food security, employment and improved living conditions the central issues of political engagement.
Makinde and Obi are among the prominent opposition figures expected to play significant roles in the 2027 presidential contest, with both already formally positioned as presidential candidates of their respective parties.
