Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said he would support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in a possible opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 elections, but insisted that the choice of a flagbearer must be based on evidence rather than personal preference.
Makinde said opposition leaders were already holding discussions to determine the most viable arrangement for challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that he was actively involved in the consultations.
He made the remarks on Friday, November 13, during an interview with ARISE News anchor, Ojy Okpe.
Asked if he was prepared to work with other opposition figures, the governor said the conversations were already ongoing.
“We’re still discussing,” Makinde said.
He added, “Not only that I’m open, we’re actively discussing this.”
However, the governor declined to name either Atiku or Obi as his preferred candidate, explaining that the opposition must assess the available options using clear criteria, including their manifestos, records in public office and the views of Nigerians.
“To arrive at a decision, you need data,” he said.
He added, “We just won’t say, ‘Oh, okay,’ take emotional decision and say, ‘Oh, it’s you.’ We have manifestos now, we have certain things in that manifesto.
“We will sit down, we have maybe historical performance. We also have the sentiment of the people. All of those things will come together and arrive at a decision.”
Makinde said the eventual arrangement could see opposition politicians take different roles, depending on the outcome of the negotiations.
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Drawing an analogy from the oil and gas industry, where competing companies sometimes collaborate on projects, he said political rivals could also find common ground when necessary.
“Depending on what we see between now and the election time, we may be rivals, we may be collaborators, we may be — one may be the client of the other,” he said.
Asked whether he would work with Atiku if the former vice-president emerged as the strongest candidate based on the available evidence, Makinde answered, “Yes.”
“I’m willing to work with any Nigerian,” he added.
He also affirmed his readiness to cooperate with others in pursuit of his campaign to “reset Nigeria”, responding to the question with, “To reset Nigeria, yes.”
The governor cited the 1999 presidential election, when Olu Falae attracted considerable support in the South-West but failed to secure victory nationally, as an example of why opposition politicians must look beyond regional popularity.
“Our biggest challenge is, first, to agree on what is the best course of action, and then seek an alliance,” he said.
He further referenced South Africa’s experience with political cooperation, arguing that rival political forces could reach agreements when circumstances demanded it.
Makinde stressed that the negotiations should be guided by national interest rather than individual ambitions.
“That negotiation will not be anything personal,” Makinde said. “That negotiation will be the deal for Nigeria, by Nigeria.”
His comments come as opposition leaders continue consultations over a possible alliance to challenge the APC in the 2027 presidential election.