Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, is qualified to become President of Nigeria.
Obi made the statement on Monday in Abuja while attending the inauguration of Makinde’s presidential campaign office ahead of the 2027 general election.
Describing Makinde as his “dear brother”, the former Anambra State governor said Nigerians should be allowed to freely decide who they want to lead the country.
“We have a candidate who is contesting the presidency today, my dear brother Makinde. Is he qualified to be president? Yes, he is qualified,” Obi said.
Obi, who is himself seeking the presidency under the NDC, said his presence at the event should not be interpreted as an attempt to impose a candidate on Nigerians.
He said the focus should instead be on allowing citizens to make their choice through a free, fair and credible electoral process.
According to him, whoever eventually wins the 2027 presidential election through a credible process should receive the support of other political leaders in the interest of Nigeria.
Obi also called on opposition politicians to put aside their political differences and work towards addressing the challenges facing Nigerians.
He said the country could no longer afford a political system dominated by quarrels and personal interests when citizens were dealing with poverty, hunger and insecurity.
“We don’t want politics of quarrel, politics of disagreement. Let our quarrel be to feed our people. Let our quarrel be to pull our people out of poverty,” Obi said.
He further called for a Nigeria where citizens can succeed regardless of their background or connections.
“We want a Nigeria where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody,” he said.
Obi's appearance at Makinde's campaign office has also drawn attention to the possibility of greater cooperation among opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 election.
Makinde is contesting the presidential election under the APM, while Obi is the NDC presidential candidate. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is contesting under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while President Bola Tinubu is seeking re-election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development comes amid renewed calls for opposition parties and politicians to work together ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde, for his part, has said opposition politicians must work together, while promoting his “Reset Nigeria” campaign, which focuses on transparency, accountability and improving the lives of Nigerians.
Obi's comments therefore add another layer to the unfolding political realignment ahead of 2027, even as both men remain presidential contenders on different party platforms.
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