The Oyo governor says opposition figures are actively exploring a common political strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the choice of candidate must be based on performance, public support and credibility rather than personal interests.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has confirmed that consultations are ongoing among opposition leaders over a possible political alliance to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.

Makinde also declared his readiness to work with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and other political leaders if doing so would help deliver what he described as a national reset.

The governor made this known during an interview with ARISE News anchor, Ojy Okpe, where he revealed that discussions among opposition figures had moved beyond preliminary conversations to active consultations.

Responding to a question about whether he was open to working with other opposition leaders, Makinde made it clear that efforts to build an alliance were already underway.

"We're still discussing," he said.

Pressed further, he added: “Not only that I'm open, we're actively discussing this.”

However, Makinde declined to endorse Atiku or Obi as his preferred presidential candidate, arguing that the opposition must adopt a strategic and evidence-based approach rather than allow personal loyalties or political emotions to determine its choice.

According to him, the most suitable candidate should emerge from a careful assessment of manifestos, previous political performance and the mood of Nigerians.

"To arrive at a decision, you need data," the governor said.

He explained that opposition leaders would have to examine the policy proposals of potential candidates, evaluate their records in public office and consider the level of support they enjoy among Nigerians before reaching a decision.

Makinde maintained that the objective should not be to promote individual ambitions but to identify the political arrangement with the strongest chances of defeating the APC.

Makinde Ready To Work With Atiku, Obi

The Oyo governor was particularly emphatic when asked whether he would support Atiku if consultations and available evidence established that the former vice-president was the strongest candidate capable of leading the opposition to victory.

Makinde answered in the affirmative, declaring his willingness to cooperate with any Nigerian committed to the country's progress.

"To reset Nigeria, yes," he said when asked whether he was prepared to work with other political leaders.

Responding specifically to the possibility of working with Atiku, he said: “Yes.”

He further stressed: “I'm willing to work with any Nigerian.”

Makinde used his experience in the oil and gas industry to explain why political rivals should not rule out cooperation.

He noted that companies competing within the same industry could also collaborate, enter business arrangements or work together when circumstances demanded it.

Applying the analogy to Nigerian politics, he said opposition politicians could become allies, competitors or even partners depending on the outcome of negotiations and the demands of the 2027 election.

"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 stated.

Makinde Warns Against Personal Ambitions

The governor identified the ability of opposition leaders to agree on a common political direction as one of the biggest challenges facing efforts to build a formidable coalition.

He referenced the 1999 presidential election, when former presidential candidate Olu Falae enjoyed considerable support in the South-West but could not translate that regional backing into victory at the national level.

For Makinde, the lesson is that regional popularity alone may not be enough to secure presidential victory without broader political cooperation.

"Our biggest challenge is, first, to agree on what is the best course of action, and then seek an alliance," he said.

He also cited South Africa's political experience as an example of how competing political interests could negotiate and cooperate when the national situation required it.

The governor insisted that any agreement among opposition politicians must be driven by the interests of Nigerians rather than personal calculations, political positions or individual presidential ambitions.

"That negotiation will not be anything personal. That negotiation will be the deal for Nigeria, by Nigeria," he said.

Opposition Coalition Faces Fresh Political Calculations

Makinde's comments come amid continuing efforts by opposition parties and prominent political figures to build a united front against the APC ahead of the 2027 general election.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) emerged as one of the major platforms around which opposition figures initially sought to rally support for a common challenge to Tinubu.

Atiku joined the ADC in November 2025, while Obi followed on December 31, 2025.

The party also explored the possibility of bringing former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and his political movement into the arrangement.

However, disagreements over the distribution of political positions, particularly the presidential and vice-presidential tickets, complicated the negotiations.

In May 2026, Obi and Kwankwaso left the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where they subsequently emerged as presidential and vice-presidential candidates respectively.

Despite the development, discussions about a broader opposition alliance have continued beyond individual political parties.

Previous consultations involving the ADC, Allied Peoples Movement (APM), NDC, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) have also focused on the possibility of presenting a common presidential candidate in 2027.

Among the prominent figures associated with the discussions are Atiku, Makinde, Obi, SDP chieftain Adewole Adebayo and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke.

The consultations are aimed at reconciling competing interests and identifying a political platform or candidate capable of mounting a serious challenge against the ruling party.

However, no consensus presidential candidate had been announced as of the latest reported consultations.

Wike's Rainbow Coalition Backs Tinubu

While opposition leaders continue exploring ways to unite against the APC, another political arrangement is emerging within the country's political landscape.

The Rainbow Coalition, promoted by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, is focused on mobilising support for Tinubu's re-election in 2027.

Unlike the opposition's proposed alliance, the Rainbow Coalition is a cross-party political arrangement that allows members to support Tinubu at the presidential level while retaining the freedom to back candidates from different parties in governorship and legislative elections.

Political parties identified as participating in the Rivers State arrangement include the APC, PDP, Labour Party, APGA, Action Alliance and APM.

The two coalition projects therefore represent competing political calculations ahead of the next presidential election.

With consultations still underway, Makinde's latest declaration signals that he is prepared to put political differences aside if opposition leaders can agree on a credible strategy to challenge the ruling party.

For the governor, the ultimate test of any alliance will not be who gets the presidential ticket, but whether the arrangement can deliver the political change Nigerians want.