Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, APM, Seyi Makinde, has called for greater cooperation among opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde said opposition parties must be willing to work together to give Nigerians a credible alternative and strengthen the country’s democratic system.
He spoke on Thursday, August 13, at the APM national convention held at the Dr Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu Square, Government House, Bauchi.
Makinde argued that a strong opposition was essential to a functioning democracy and urged the newly elected leadership of the APM to build partnerships with other opposition parties.
“As I said, the presence of a credible opposition is what sustains democracy. So, our new leaders must be ready to work with other opposition parties to ensure that we give Nigeria an incredible alternative in the 2027 general election,” Makinde said.
He said the proposed opposition collaboration should be built around ideas, evidence and measurable results rather than political slogans and campaign promises.
“For too long, we have measured governors by announcements. We are presented with policy after policy, rather than evidence of where those policies have made people’s lives better.
“When our mothers go to the market, they experience economic policy as a statistic. They experience it in what their money can buy: how much rice, how much beans, and how much they can take home.
“We experience job creation policy through a press statement. The experience is whether you can find productive work.”
Makinde said Nigerians should judge political leaders by improvements in their livelihoods, access to jobs and markets, family welfare and security rather than the number of government programmes or official announcements.
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According to him, “Security is not the number of security meetings in Government House. It is whether people come home and sleep with their two eyes closed.”
He said those seeking to replace the current administration should explain precisely what they intend to do differently and how Nigerians would benefit from their policies.
“The 2027 election should not simply be about what government has done. It should be about what has changed for Nigerians.
“Those of us who offer ourselves as alternatives must answer the question: What exactly will we do differently, and what measurable difference should Nigeria expect to see?”
The governor said an effective opposition alliance should be driven by a shared commitment to reducing poverty, creating productive employment, improving education and tackling insecurity.
He also advocated a stronger federal structure that would take decision-making and resources closer to citizens while demanding greater accountability from those in power.
“We need a federation in which more decisions and resources are brought closer to the people, accompanied by greater accountability for results,” he said.
Makinde further called for a political culture in which disagreement does not turn political opponents into enemies.
“We want a politics where disagreement does not make us enemies; a politics where opposition is not merely about removing those in power, but about presenting a credible and demonstrating a better alternative.”
He said opposition cooperation should ultimately be about giving voters a genuine choice in 2027 rather than simply building an alliance aimed at defeating the ruling party.
“The task before all of us is bigger than winning an election. It is to give Nigerians a real choice about the future of their country.
“Let the coming campaign be a contest of ideas. Let us debate the evidence. Let us compare records. Let everyone seeking to lead Nigerians answer one simple question: How will the lives of Nigerians be better because we were allowed to lead?” he said.