Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has described Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, as qualified to contest for the presidency in the 2027 general election.
Obi made the remark on Monday at the inauguration of Makinde’s presidential campaign office in Abuja, where he called for unity among political leaders and Nigerians ahead of the 2027 election.
Speaking at the event, Obi said Nigerians should be allowed to freely choose their preferred candidate through a credible election, stressing that political leaders should support whoever emerges through a free and fair process.
“We want the people of Nigeria to make their choice,” Obi said, adding that the country could not continue along its current path as millions of Nigerians struggle with poverty, hunger and insecurity.
The former governor said the focus should not be on political desperation or rivalry but on finding solutions to the challenges confronting the country.
He urged political leaders to work together to rescue Nigeria from its economic and security difficulties, arguing that the ultimate goal should be to improve the lives of citizens.
Makinde, who is seeking the presidency on the APM platform, used the occasion to unveil his “Reset Nigeria” agenda, which he said was aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and better management of the country’s resources.
He particularly called for greater transparency across the petroleum value chain, from crude oil production and domestic allocation to refining, transportation, distribution, taxation and retail margins.
Makinde said Nigerians deserved to understand how the final price of petroleum products was determined and who benefited at each stage of the process.
He also appealed to Nigerians to join the “Reset Nigeria” movement, saying the initiative should not be limited to politicians but should involve traders, farmers, workers, young people, business owners and communities across the country.
The event brought together opposition politicians and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The appearance of Obi, who is also seeking the presidency, has generated political reactions, with some questioning his decision to attend the launch of another presidential candidate’s campaign office.
The development adds another dimension to the emerging opposition politics ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with various political actors advocating collaboration and a possible realignment to challenge the ruling establishment.
